2 Plead Not Guilty to Shooting Trick-or-Treater
Two alleged gang members pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges that they shot a 12-year-old boy in the leg after trying to steal his Halloween mask and candy in South-Central Los Angeles.
The defendants, whose names were not released because of their ages, were ordered to remain in custody without bail pending trial on Dec. 18.
Deputy Dist. Atty. Terese Farrell said that Fernando Castillo Jr. was shot on Halloween evening while walking with his parents and other trick-or-treaters on South Broadway near 42nd Street. Police said a group of teen-agers, including the defendants, approached the youths and demanded the victim’s mask and candy. Castillo was shot once above the left knee as he tried to flee, authorities said.
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