Four alleged gang members have been charged in connection with the fatal drive-by shooting of a 1-year-old girl in Compton last year, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced.
Davion Ramal Douglas (dob 9/30/90), Denzell Davon Hull (dob 11/27/91), Ronzay Deshon Richards (dob 4/10/92) and Ray Howard Patterson Jr. (dob 11/23/92) have been charged in case TA143639.
Douglas has been charged with one count each of murder, attempted murder and possession of a firearm by a felon. The felony complaint includes a special allegation that the defendant personally and intentionally discharged a firearm which caused great bodily injury and death to the infant victim. The charging document also alleges Douglas was previously convicted of carrying a loaded handgun, not registered in 2009 and burglary in 2011.
Hull has been charged with two counts of attempted murder and one count each of murder, shooting at an occupied motor vehicle and possession of a firearm by a felon. The felony complaint includes a special allegation that the defendant personally and intentionally discharged a firearm during the commission of the crime. Moreover, the charging document alleges that Hull was previously convicted of second-degree robbery in 2010 and first-degree residential burglary in 2011.
Richards has been charged with one count each of murder and attempted murder. The charging document alleges that Richards has been previously convicted of first-degree burglary, person present in 2012.
Patterson has been charged with one count of being an accessory after the fact.
All four defendants are alleged to have committed crimes for the benefit of, and in association with a criminal street gang with the specific intent to promote, further and assist in criminal conduct by gang members.
Douglas and Hull were arraigned today and pleaded not guilty to the charges, while Richards pleaded not guilty on Oct. 5. Patterson is currently incarcerated in Nevada and his arraignment date is unknown at this time.
Deputy District Attorney Danette Gomez of the Hardcore Gang Division is assigned to the case.
On the evening of Feb. 9, 2016, Douglas, Hull and Richards allegedly drove through enemy gang territory and shot at a home in the 300 block of North Holly Avenue in Compton before fleeing the scene, according to prosecutors.
Victim Autumn Johnson, 1, was struck by the gunfire and later died from her injuries, prosecutors said.
Patterson reportedly was made aware of the drive-by shooting immediately after the incident, prosecutors added.
Less than two months later, Hull allegedly shot at a man who was sitting in his vehicle in Lynwood, prosecutors added.
Douglas, Hull and Richards are scheduled to return to court on Dec. 14 for a preliminary hearing setting in Department D of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Compton Branch.
If convicted as charged, Douglas faces a maximum possible sentence of 107 years to life in prison, while Hull faces 156 years to life and Richards 95 years to life in state prison. Patterson faces up to seven years in prison.
The case is being investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
