Not Guilty Plea in 6-Year-Old Girl's Shooting Death

The girl was shot and killed at a family celebration for a cousin headed to college

A gang member accused in the shooting death of a 6-year-old girl gunned down at a relative's Riverside County home pleaded not guilty Friday to several charges, including murder.

Keandre Narkie Johnson (pictured, right), 21, was charged with murder, attempted murder and participation in a criminal street gang. He was arrested Sept. 16 in Hemet -- about  90 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles -- more than a week after 6-year-old Tiana Ricks was shot and killed at a family celebration in Moreno Valley for a college-bound cousin.

Ricks and her father entered their relatives' garage, where people were gathered, when two men sprayed bullets into the crowd from the residence's driveway.

Tiana's shooting death prompted fundraising efforts for the family, including contributions from rap artists Snoop Lion and The Game to cover funeral costs.

Tyrell Ricks, the girl's father, was shot in the pelvis.

Members of the victim's family were at Friday's court proceeding. An uncle called the shooting suspect an "animal."

Refresh this page for updates.

More Top Stories:

Contact Us