A 70-year-old man has been arrested and charged with murder following a deadly confrontation with landscapers in Fallbrook, California. The incident, which took place this week, has left one man dead and another injured. Michael Anthony Burke is currently being held without bail in connection with the death of Martin Lucas Esteban.
The Fatal Shooting
On the evening of Monday, March 20, 2026, a confrontation occurred between Burke and two landscapers working on a property in Fallbrook, a community located about 100 miles southeast of Los Angeles. According to authorities and the property owner, Alan Hsu, Esteban, an immigrant from Guatemala, was working at the property when the altercation began.
San Diego County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the shooting took place around 8 p.m. One victim, identified as Esteban, was fatally shot, while another man was treated for a gunshot wound and has since been released from the hospital.
Burke was charged with murder, attempted murder, and shooting into an inhabited vehicle. If convicted, each of these charges carries a recommended sentence of 25 years to life in prison.
Cellphone Video Captures the Incident
A cellphone video of the incident has surfaced, showing a man holding a shotgun while standing next to a pickup truck. The video, which was verified by NBC News, does not fully capture what led up to the argument but shows the man with the gun threatening the occupants of the truck.
In the video, the man with the shotgun is heard saying, “You wanna die today? I will kill you right now. Don’t f— with me. OK? You sabe? You sabe in Español or in Inglés?” The situation escalates as the passenger in the truck grabs the gun’s barrel, leading to a struggle, during which the weapon discharges. The man with the shotgun then says, “See, you f—-d around.”
San Diego County Sheriff’s Lt. Juan Marquez confirmed that investigators are aware of the video and that it has been reviewed by prosecutors. The Sheriff’s Homicide Unit is conducting a thorough investigation into the incident.
Background on the Suspect and Victim
Burke, the suspect in the shooting, is a caretaker for an adjacent property and resides on the parcel near the location of the incident. According to Alan Hsu, Burke had an “angry demeanor” and was not the friendliest person in the community.
The victim, Martin Lucas Esteban, was invited to the property by a friend to assist with landscaping. Hsu confirmed that Esteban had worked at the property before. Esteban’s daughter, Martina Lucas, expressed her grief over her father’s death outside a court hearing for Burke on Thursday. “That guy had no heart killing him,” she said. “My father didn’t deserve to die.”
Legal Proceedings and Charges
Burke pleaded not guilty to the charges of murder, attempted murder, and shooting into an inhabited vehicle during his court appearance on Thursday. It is currently unclear whether he has retained legal representation. His case is still under investigation, and more details are expected as the Sheriff’s Department continues its inquiries.
