A man accused of opening fire on two Los Angeles police officers, wounding one of them, in what was described as an ambush attack in the Westlake District pleaded not guilty.
Ivan Castillo, 27, is charged with two counts each of attempted murder of a peace officer and assault on a peace officer with a semiautomatic firearm, along with one count each of attempted murder and assault with a semiautomatic firearm.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Deborah S. Brazil ordered Castillo, who is being held in lieu of more than $4 million bail, to return to court March 8 for a preliminary hearing to determine if there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial.
The shooting occurred around 10 p.m. Dec. 29 while the officers were conducting a pedestrian stop in the area of Hartford and Linwood avenues, and Castillo was caught a short time later. Rookie Officer Joy Park, who was shot in a leg, is expected to make a full recovery. The second officer was not injured.
Park graduated from the police academy in April 2017.
Castillo could face up to life in prison if convicted as charged, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.
