A man who allegedly opened fire on four men in Beaumont, killing one, then spent two days on the lam, pleaded not guilty Monday to murder and attempted murder charges.
Alyais Lavante Jahneal Harper, 20, of Beaumont, is accused in the death of 22-year-old Trejean Malik Williams Cullors, who was found lying in the street in the vicinity of Fifth Street and Beaumont Avenue just before 1 a.m. on Oct. 15. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots “and observed a vehicle leaving the area at a high rate of speed,” according to Beaumont police.
Cullors died at a hospital three days later.
The criminal complaint charges Harper with Cullors’ murder, as well as the attempted murders of three other men, all referred to as John Does in court documents. Police did not say if those men were struck by gunfire or fired upon, but not struck.
Harper also faces a special circumstance allegation of lying in wait, making him potentially eligible for the death penalty, should prosecutors decide to pursue capital punishment.
He was taken into custody in Oceanside two days after the shooting by members of the Riverside County Gang Impact Team. Police did not disclose what led them to connect Harper to the killing.
Harper is slated to return to court Jan. 11 for a felony settlement conference.
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