2 Deny Murdering Singer In LA Ambush-Style Shooting

NORTHRIDGE, CA — Two men pleaded not guilty on Monday to murder in connection to the ambush-style shooting of 22-year-old Latin singer Maria de la Rosa, according to prosecutors.

Francisco Otilio Gaytan, 27, Benny LiconGomez, 28, of Northridge, are charged with one felony count of murder and two felony counts of attempted second-degree robbery in connection to de la Rosa's killing, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

A third Northridge man, 22-year-old Eduardo Lopez, is facing the same charges but remains at large, prosecutors said.

The three men are accused of approaching a parked parked vehicle on Bryant Street near Tampa Avenue in Northridge at around 1:25 a.m. on Nov. 22, demanding money and opening fire on the vehicle's three occupants, prosecutors said.

De la Rosa was killed in the shooting. The two other victims sustained critical injuries, prosecutors said.

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Gaytan was arrested that day and LiconGomez was arrested the next day

De la Rosa was an aspiring musician who went by the name DELAROSA. She released a song titled “No Me Llames” in August.

“This was a ruthless and targeted attack that stole the life of a young woman and artist and inflicted profound lifelong trauma on her family and the two survivors,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. “My office will pursue this case aggressively to ensure those responsible are held fully accountable for this senseless and deadly violence.”

Gaytan and LiconGomez remain jailed without bail. They're due back in court on May 7.

If convicted as charged, the men face life in prison without the possibility of parole, prosecutors said.

City News Service contributed to this report.