A 14-year-old boy charged in a deadly shooting in a Clairemont park earlier this year he pleaded not guilty Tuesday to a murder charge.
The boy, whose name is withheld due to his age, was arrested last week along with Julian Vargas, 19, in connection with the February 19 shooting near the North Clairemont Recreation Center.
According to Lt. Steve Shebloski of the San Diego Police Departmentofficers arrived at the park just before noon to find Cesar Lopez-Sandoval in a grassy area with multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to a hospital, where he died about three hours later.
Shebloski said an investigation revealed the victim had “a brief physical confrontation” with Vargas and the boy just before he was shot. The lieutenant said examination of surveillance footage, witness interviews and other evidence led to the arrest of the two suspects last Thursday.
The boy, who was arraigned in San Diego Juvenile Court, will remain in custody following his allegations of murder and an accusation of use of weapons.
Vargas was also charged with murder and pleaded not guilty Monday.
TO GoFundMe Account has been set with a goal of $40,000 to support the Lopez-Sandoval family.
The City News Service contributed to this article.
