An ex-con accused of gunning down the mother of his three children in her Bellflower apartment while the couple’s 10-year-old daughter watched helplessly pleaded not guilty Monday to murder and other charges.
Antowan Ladell Parker, 27, was ordered to return to court June 5 for a preliminary hearing to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial for the murder of his 31-year-old ex-girlfriend, Kenia Buckner.
Parker allegedly barged into Buckner’s home in the 16200 block of Cornuta Avenue around 1:35 p.m. on Jan. 16. Prosecutors allege he pointed a gun at several of Buckner’s family members before killing the hairstylist, who was studying to be a nurse.
“The suspect shot Kenia in front of the 10-year-old child they shared and in front of Kenia’s mother,” a sheriff’s statement alleges.
Buckner’s 10-year-old niece and other family members were present and watched as the woman died at the scene, authorities said.
Parker, who was at large until his April 14 arrest, is being held on nearly $4.2 million bail.
He is charged with murder and two counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. The criminal complaint includes an allegation that Parker personally used a firearm causing great bodily injury and death.
Prosecutors said Parker was convicted in 2010 of first-degree burglary and faces a maximum sentence of more than 50 years to life in prison if convicted of murdering Buckner, who is survived by 10-year-old boy-and-girl twins and a 4-year-old daughter.
— City News Service
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