Man Pleads Not Guilty in 13-Year-Old Pasadena Boy’s 2021 Shooting Death

A man pleaded not guilty Thursday to a murder charge stemming from the shooting death of a 13-year-old boy who was playing video games in the bedroom of his Pasadena home nearly four years ago.

Muhammad Abdul-Malik, 38, and co-defendant Teraeja Laquanna Flemmings, 31, were charged July 18 with murder in connection with the Nov. 20, 2021, killing of Iran Moreno.

Abdul-Malik is also facing an allegation that he personally and intentionally discharged a firearm causing great bodily injury or death, along with one felony count of possession of a firearm by a felon.

He allegedly fired a single gunshot through a window in Moreno’s home in the 900 block of North Raymond Avenue from a vacant lot across the street, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

Abdul-Malik then got into a getaway vehicle allegedly driven by Flemmings, according to the District Attorney’s Office, which referred to the two as a couple.

He was arrested Aug. 29 by Pasadena police after being returned to Southern California from Florida, where he was in custody when the case was filed, jail records show.

Flemmings has remained behind bars since her arrest July 16 by Pasadena police. She pleaded not guilty July 23, according to court records.

The case was filed less than a month after the Pasadena Police Department renewed its call for help identifying the gunman and released new details about a female suspect whom they believed to be the getaway driver.

“Newly enhanced surveillance video revealed a partial license plate number QJ117 from the Ford Fusion,” the police department said in a previous statement.

Authorities have not disclosed a possible motive for the shooting.

“The violence that took this young boy’s life is not only tragic, but also unacceptable and criminal,” District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a statement released shortly after the charges were filed.

“No family should ever have to endure the heartbreak of losing a child under such horrific circumstances. While we cannot undo this tragedy, we will work tirelessly to ensure those responsible are held accountable.”

Abdul-Malik and Flemmings are due back in a Pasadena courtroom Sept. 18.

If convicted as charged, Abdul-Malik faces up to 53 years to life in state prison, while Flemmings could face a maximum of 25 years to life in state prison, according to the District Attorney’s Office.