THE pastor of a Southern Californian church has been arrested as police allege he hired someone to kill the person dating his daughter in October of last year. 

On March 13, police arrested Samuela Pasillas, 47, of Victorville, California – around 40 minutes north of San Bernandino – in a murder-for-hire scheme.

Pasillas, the pastor of a Spanish-speaking church in Victorville, was arrested in connection to an alleged shooting that took place on October 21, 2023. 

At the time, Riverside police officers responded to a local hospital after an individual arrived with gunshot wounds.

The male victim, who has not been identified, told police that he had been driving on Grove Community Drive in Riverside when another vehicle pulled up alongside him. 

Police say gunfire came from that vehicle at around 7 pm.

The victim was reportedly struck several times and drove himself to the hospital to be treated for his injuries, according to police. 

Evidence of the alleged shooting was later found at the scene. 

An investigation into the incident later discovered that it was a “murder-for-hire shooting,” Riverside police said in a statement. 

Police have said that the victim was allegedly dating a woman whose father was Pasillas. 

“During their investigation, detectives uncovered evidence the father met with the men he hired and provided them information about the victim, including his location the evening of the shooting,” Riverside police said. 

Police have also claimed that the men allegedly hired by Pasillas were paid nearly $40,000 and conducted surveillance on the victim for weeks leading up to the shooting. 

Pasillas was arrested last week after the Riverside METRO team and detectives executed search warrants in Victorville, Long Beach, and Lynwood. 

The pastor has been charged with solicitation for murder, conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon. 

He is currently being held by Riverside Police on a $1 million bail. 

Deputy Public Defender Drew Ogdon, who is reportedly representing Pasillas, did not immediately respond to The U.S. Sun’s request for comment.

Also last week, police also arrested Juan Manuel Cebreros, 55, from Long Beach in connection to the alleged shooting. 

He faces charges of conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, and assault with a deadly weapon. 

Cebreros is also being held on a $1 million bail. 

A third person allegedly linked to the incident has yet to be arrested, according to court records reviewed by the Los Angeles Times. 

The investigation into the alleged shooting is ongoing. 

Police have asked that anyone with information contact Detective Nic Cantino at (951) 353-7104 or NCantino@RiversideCA.gov.