A security guard who fought with and shot a man at a Southern California market who wasn’t wearing a mask pleaded not guilty Wednesday to murder.
Umeir Corniche Hawkins, 38, of Gardena got into an argument with the man Sunday at the market in the Los Angeles suburb of Gardena on Sunday, prosecutors said.
Jerry Lewis, 50, of Gardena was waiting for a tow truck to repair two flat tires on his car when he entered the market without wearing a mask, which the store required because of the coronavirus outbreak, authorities said.
Lewis got into an argument with Hawkins, who left the store, returned and allegedly fought with Hawkins, Gardena police said.
During the fight, Hawkins’s wife, Sabrina Carter, 50, got a handgun and pointed it at Lewis and other customers, ending the fight but as Lewis was walking away, Hawkins pulled a second gun and shot him, police said.
In addition to Hawkins’ not guilty plea to murder Wednesday, he and his wife both pleaded not guilty to being felons in possession of handguns.
Both were convicted in 2013 of assault by means of force likely to produce great bodily injury, according to a statement from the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.
Hawkins could face 50 years to life in state prison if convicted.
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