Santa Clarita / Antelope Valley : Suspect Denies Guilt in Fatal Shooting of Unarmed Man

A Hi Vista man pleaded not guilty to one first-degree murder charge and seven other felony counts stemming from the weekend shooting death of an unarmed man.

Teodoro Sanchez Huerta, 34, entered the plea in Lancaster Municipal Court late Tuesday afternoon and was ordered held without bail. A preliminary hearing was set for July 1.

Huerta is charged with fatally shooting Joaquin F. Bonilla, 43, on Sunday with a 30-30 rifle, which is a high-power gun traditionally used for hunting.

The two men and their families had apparently argued at least twice that day at a gathering at Huerta’s home in this unincorporated, remote area east of Lancaster, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Pam Rogers.

Shortly after 4 p.m., as Bonilla was leaving the gathering with his wife and two young children, Huerta allegedly fired several rounds into their van, Rogers said.

Bonilla, who was unarmed, got out of the van and confronted Huerta, she said. Huerta then allegedly shot Bonilla once in the chest and once in the head, Rogers said.

“The evidence is pretty clear both men had been drinking at the time of the shooting,” she said.

Huerta allegedly fled the scene but was arrested about four hours later when he returned home.

In addition to the murder charge, Huerta faces three counts of attempted murder, three counts of assault with a deadly weapon and one count of shooting an occupied vehicle.