Alleged shooter in Glendale love triangle dispute pleads not guilty to charges

A 48-year-old Glendale man pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges that he shot and wounded an acupuncturist four times due to a spate stemming from a love triangle, officials said.

Ira Geragos was charged with one felony count of willful, deliberate and premeditated murder, one felony count of evading a police officer and one felony count of assault of a police officer during Monday’s incident, according to the Los Angeles County Superior Court criminal complaint.

The victim, who was identified as Aram Akopyan, suffered four gunshot wounds to his upper torso. He continued to recover Wednesday at a hospital, officials said.

Prosecutors were able to apply the premeditated murder charge due to the severity of the shooting incident, an official said.

According to police, Akopyan was dating Geragos’ ex-wife.

Akopyan, an acupuncturist, was shot in the courtyard outside his health and spiritual living office in the 100 block of East Glenoaks Boulevard, Glendale Police Sgt. Tom Lorenz said. His office is one of several medical and dentistry offices at that location.

Even while Akopyan was still injured, he identified Geragos as the alleged shooter, Lorenz said.

Officers were able to track him down, but he allegedly fled and engaged them in a short pursuit, he added.

Geragos allegedly rammed officers with his vehicle during the pursuit before eventually crashing into a tree in the 1000 block of Rosedale Avenue, where he was arrested, Lorenz said.

Detectives allegedly found two handguns and ammunition inside Geragos’ car.

Geragos is expected to appear in court on Jan. 30 to schedule a date for his preliminary hearing.

He was being held Wednesday on $2-million bail, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.

-- Veronica Rocha, Times Community News

Follow Veronica Rocha on Google+ and on Twitter: @VeronicaRochaLA.