2 Gang Members Plead Not Guilty in Killing of Student

Two 19-year-old Van Nuys gang members pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Van Nuys Municipal Court to charges they shot and killed a 16-year-old Taft High School student and attempted to kill four of his friends Friday at the Fallbrook Mall in West Hills.

Elliott O’Neal Singletary, whose street name is “Chocolate,” and Tommy Lee Williams, known as “Ace Capone,” were each arraigned on one count of conspiracy to commit murder, one count of murder and four counts of attempted murder in connection with the killing of Ramtin Shaolian.

A preliminary hearing was set for June 22. They are each being held in lieu of more than $3 million bail.

Police believe Williams fired the shots from a .22-caliber semiautomatic handgun, but do not have a motive for the shooting.

“I think it was a random act of violence,” said Deputy Dist. Atty. Robert L. Cohen.

Four teen-aged girls who allegedly were in the car from which the shots were fired remained in the custody of their parents while prosecutors decide whether to file charges against them. Deputy Dist. Atty. Richard Taklander said it would be at least several days before a decision is made.

Prosecutors also are reviewing evidence before deciding whether to file charges against a 17-year-old boy who allegedly sheltered the two murder suspects after the shooting and hid the gun. He also remains in the custody of his parents.

Ramtin was killed after he and his friends left a movie theater in the Fallbrook Mall. According to police, Singletary, Williams and the four teen-aged girls were in a car when they approached Ramtin and asked him if he belonged to a gang.

He responded that he did not, but the car drove around the parking lot and and came back. Williams then opened fire, killing Ramtin and wounding two others, police said. Two other teen-agers were shot at, but were not hit.

Deputy Public Defender Ellen Coleman, who represented Williams at the arraignment, argued against allowing cameras in the courtroom because photographs could taint identification of her client by witnesses. However, Judge Leland Harris denied her request, noting that photographs of the men had been provided by police on Monday and had already been published.

Still, the two men hid from news cameras in the courtroom during the brief proceedings.