Three men accused of killing a fitness influencer during an alleged robbery are set to stand trial after prosecutors claimed they travelled nearly 500 miles to Los Angeles to carry out robberies.
Miguel Angel Aguilar, 43, founder of the Self Made Training Facility gym chain, died in December 2024 after spending three months in hospital following the shooting outside his Bel-Air home.
Now, following a preliminary hearing in Los Angeles, a judge has ruled there is sufficient evidence for Jason Melara, Daymonee Johnson and Mahki Taylor to stand trial on charges including murder, robbery and assault.
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A fourth suspect, Mario Melara, died during the incident.
Prosecutors allege the four men travelled from Oakland to Los Angeles in September 2024 for the “express purpose” of committing robberies.
Court proceedings heard the group allegedly spotted Aguilar and his wife, celebrity hairstylist Priscilla Valles, having lunch at Bossa Nova restaurant in West Hollywood before following them home in a grey Acura.
According to evidence presented in court, surveillance footage captured the Acura following Aguilar’s distinctive 1959 Chevrolet Impala through Bel-Air moments before the shooting.
Detectives testified that after the couple pulled into their driveway, several masked men approached, demanding their watches.
The court heard Aguilar, who had a concealed carry permit, drew his legally carried firearm.
His wife reportedly told detectives she was unsure who fired first, but Aguilar discharged one shot before suffering a gunshot wound to the neck.
The alleged attackers then fled the scene.
Prosecutors said the getaway car later crashed outside a hospital after running a red light.
Mario Melara, who had been shot during the confrontation, was taken into the emergency department but was pronounced dead.
Court proceedings also heard Mahki Taylor allegedly later told a police informant in jail that he fired the shot that fatally wounded Aguilar after Aguilar shot Mario Melara, although that claim has not been tested at trial.
Aguilar survived the shooting but died from his injuries on 21 December 2024.
In December 2025, Self Made Training Facility paid tribute to Aguilar on the year anniversary of his death.
It said: “One year ago, we lost our founder, Miguel Angel Aguilar.
“But Miguel’s presence has never left.
“His energy, drive, and heart still echo through this facility and far beyond it.
“Miguel didn’t just build Self Made Training Facility.
“He set a standard that changed the game across the entire industry.
“The way he led, connected, and pushed others forward left a legacy that continues to inspire trainers, athletes, and business owners everywhere.
“We carry that legacy every day with pride, with purpose, and with the same fire he brought to everything he touched.
Before his death, Aguilar had built a large online following by documenting his rise from poverty and addiction to founding one of America’s best-known personal training franchises.
The three surviving defendants deny the allegations against them. A judge has now ruled there is enough evidence for the case to proceed to trial.
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