Christian Armstrong Sentenced to Life Without Parole for 2025 Hesperia Double Murder
HESPERIA, Calif. (VVNG.com) — A Hesperia man convicted of fatally shooting two people in May 2025 has been sentenced to state prison, where he will spend the rest of his life behind bars.
Christian Liam Armstrong, 27, was sentenced on July 10, 2026, to two years in state prison, followed by 50 years to life, followed by life without the possibility of parole. The court also awarded Armstrong 391 days of custody credit and 58 days of conduct credit. He will serve the remainder of the two-year term at a 15% credit rate before beginning the consecutive life sentences.
The sentencing follows Armstrong’s conviction on Oct. 28, 2025, when a jury found him guilty of two counts of murder. Jurors also found true the enhancement that he personally discharged a firearm causing great bodily injury in both killings.
The jury also found true the special circumstance allegation that Armstrong was convicted of more than one murder in the first or second degree, making him eligible for life without the possibility of parole. He was also convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The case stemmed from a shooting on May 20, 2025, in the 18800 block of Madrone Street in Hesperia.
Deputies responding to reports of a man with a gun found Carlos Gonzales, 60, lying in his driveway suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Patricia Deerr, 68, an acquaintance of Gonzales, was also found suffering from gunshot wounds. She was transported to a local hospital, where she later died from her injuries.
Homicide investigators identified Armstrong as the suspect in the killings. During the early morning hours of May 21, 2025, deputies located and arrested him in the area of Roundup Way and Pioneer Road in Apple Valley.
The convictions and sentence bring the criminal case to a close. Armstrong was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole, along with consecutive prison terms of two years and 50 years to life, ensuring he will spend the remainder of his life in state prison.
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