Aaron Shannon Jr. Murder: 2 Charged With Murder In Boy's Death On Halloween

LOS ANGELES — Two reputed Los Angeles gang members have been charged in a Halloween shooting that killed a 5-year-old boy as he showed off his costume in his backyard.

Eighteen-year-old Marcus Denson and 21-year-old Leonard Hall were charged Monday with murder and attempted murder. Prosecutors say they could face life in prison if convicted.

A judge delayed the pair's arraignment until Nov. 19 and ordered them held on $4 million bail apiece.

Prosecutors contend the men fired into a South Los Angeles backyard they mistakenly believed belonged to a rival gang. Aaron Shannon Jr. was shot in the back of the head Oct. 31 as he posed for photos in his Spider-Man costume. Two relatives were wounded.

Authorities say the victims had no gang ties.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Two reputed gang members have been charged with murder for a Los Angeles Halloween shooting that killed a 5-year-old boy as he showed off his costume in his backyard.

Eighteen-year-old Marcus Denson and 21-year-old Leonard Hall were charged Monday with murder and attempted murder. Prosecutors say they could face life in prison if convicted.

The two remained jailed Monday without bail.

Prosecutors contend the men fired into a South Los Angeles backyard they mistakenly believed belonged to a rival gang.

Five-year-old Aaron Shannon Jr. was shot in the back of the head on Oct. 31 as he posed for photos in his Spider-Man costume. Two relatives were wounded.

Authorities say the victims had no gang ties.

Comments

[Crumbysmom]

07:13 PM on 11/13/2010

R.I.P. I can't even imagine what his family is going through. My heart goes out to them.

[PaddockGirl]

11:36 AM on 11/09/2010

I hope it is the third strike for either one of these degenerates. That little baby was robbed of his life. Aaron Shannon deserves justice. May that little angel RIP.

[Paddy Murphy]

11:11 AM on 11/09/2010

RIP little one. It's so agonizing that the innocent have to suffer for the crimes of adults.

[AMJ889]

11:02 AM on 11/09/2010

Who does that?? SICK!

[carolr51]

10:31 AM on 11/09/2010

So disgusting that these gang-bangers just indiscriminately shoot with their automatic weapons, not even caring enough to be sure of who the hel* they are shooting at! What is wrong with these people?

[bruinlover09]

10:25 AM on 11/09/2010

There are no words for this horrible crime. Aaron Shannon Jr. was doing the same thing that every child in America (excluding children of fundamentalists) getting ready and excited for Halloween. And real life demons snatched this child from his family and friends for no reason.
My condolences to the family and friends. I hope these jerks get life in prison without parole.

[ywcachieve]

09:14 AM on 11/09/2010

This is so heart-wrenching. RIP precious.

[motherfather]

08:46 AM on 11/09/2010

Lost generation! My condolences to the family.

[JackiChan]

07:17 AM on 11/09/2010

Now that's scary!

[jazzifay]

07:13 PM on 11/08/2010

This is so very, very sad. R.I.P li'l guy.

[Deirdre Pride]

07:01 PM on 11/08/2010

May they rot in prison. Too bad the death penalty isn't an option.

[ywcachieve]

09:16 AM on 11/09/2010

Why would you think the death penalty is not a option?

[Deirdre Pride]

01:18 AM on 11/10/2010

Because it says they could get up to life in prison. That means that's the maximum they can get.

[Matelyan]

06:10 PM on 11/08/2010

It's so sad that innocence must be lost due to blatant stupidity and total disregard for human life.