Teen Pleads Not Guilty to Fatal Redondo Beach Gas Station Shooting

REDONDO BEACH, CA - A reputed gang member accused in a Redondo Beach gas-station shooting that left one man dead and another injured pleaded not guilty Wednesday to murder and attempted murder.

Erik Martinez, 19, is due back in court Aug. 31. His bail was set at more than $3 million, according to the District Attorney's Office.

The charges, which include gun and gang allegations, stem from the 4 p.m. June 16 shooting at an Arco gas station at the intersection of Inglewood and Marine avenues.

SEE ALSO:

• Teen Charged in Fatal Redondo Beach Gas Station Shooting
  
• Suspect in Fatal Redondo Beach Gas Station Shooting Arrested

Witnesses said the victims seemed to know the shooter, according to Redondo Beach Police Lt. Fabian Saucedo.

Mike Cortez-Marquez, 19, was pronounced dead at the scene. Paramedics rushed the other shooting victim to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, and he survived. Prosecutors said Cortez-Marquez was shot in the head and back, while the other man was shot in the stomach.

Martinez was arrested after detectives spotted him at about 8 p.m. the day after the shooting in the area of Daisy Avenue and 10th Street in Long Beach, according to Redondo Beach police.

He faces 50 years to life in prison if convicted.

— City News Service, photo courtesy of the Redondo Beach Police Department