Man, 20, Faces Manslaughter Charge in Accidental Tarzana Shooting

TARZANA, CA -- A 20-year-old man pleaded not guilty Thursday to involuntary manslaughter in the Tarzana shooting of a friend last week.

According to investigators, Heriberto Gonzalez accidentally shot a female friend in a vehicle at a Tarzana hiking trail, .

Heriberto Gonzalez pleaded not guilty to one felony count each of involuntary manslaughter and unlawful firearm activity and two felony counts of discharge of a firearm with gross negligence, along with one misdemeanor count each of carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle in a city and carrying a loaded firearm on one's person in a city.

According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced Thursday, Gonzalez accidentally shot and killed 24-year Angela Hernandez after they and some friends went on a hike to testfire his handgun.

After returning to a vehicle, Gonzalez allegedly discharged the weapon, fatally shooting Hernandez as she sat in the front passenger seat, according to the District Attorney's Office.

She later died at a nearby hospital. Gonzalez was initially booked by Los Angeles police on suspicion of murder.

If convicted as charged, he could face more than four years in state prison.

City News Service; Photo: Shutterstock