Suspect in Pasadena Double Murder Case Denies Charges

A 21-year-old Pasadena man accused of killing two men and wounding another in a shooting at Villa Parke in Pasadena late last year pleaded not guilty to criminal charges on Tuesday, records show.

Christopher Paul Hall faces two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder in connection with the Dec. 1 shooting the northeast portion of the park, along Parke Street east of Garfield Avenue, according to Pasadena police and Los Angeles County Superior Court officials.

Christino Medellin Avila, 51, and Aaron Perez Flores, 40, both of Pasadena, died in the shooting, which took place about 3 p.m. at a bus bench in the park, according to police and Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner officials.

A third man was also shot and seriously wounded in the attack, but survived.

Hall was identified as a suspect in the attack following an extensive investigation and was arrested with the help of a U.S. Marshals fugitive task force on May 20, investigators said.

Detectives suspect Hall did not act alone and additional unidentified suspects may have also been involved, said Pasadena police Lt. Carolyn Gordon. Anyone with information was urged to contact the Pasadena Police Department.

Information regarding a motive in the shooting was not available.

Hall was ordered back to court on Oct. 28 for a preliminary hearing setting.

In the meantime, bail has been set at $5.155 million, according to L.A. County booking records.

Hall’s twin brother, Christian Isiah Hall, is also awaiting trial along with two other defendants in connection with a deadly shooting that took place in Monrovia in March, according to police and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department officials.

One of the two co-defendants in the Monrovia shooting, 22-year-old Tanaj Johnson of Pasadena, is also accused of shooting and permanently injuring a then-10-year-old boy as he played in front of his home on Valentine’s Day.

Related:

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