California 16-year-old charged with killing his 11-year-old cousin, attacking victim’s sister

Calif. teen charged with killing female cousin, 11

LANCASTER, Calif. — A 16-year-old boy is being held without bail for fatally stabbing his 11-year-old cousin and wounding her 14-year-old sister outside their desert home north of Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles County district attorney’s office on Thursday charged Lonnie Liner as an adult with murder and attempted murder.

Sheriff’s deputies arrested him Tuesday in a nearby junkyard.

Officials say Liner slashed the 11-year-old’s throat and the girl died in her Littlerock home. The victim’s sister suffered multiple stab wounds but escaped and is expected to survive.

A motive has not been released.

Liner faces up to two life terms in prison if convicted. It was unknown if he had an attorney.