Compton man and teen arraigned in Long Beach shooting
A 24-year-old Compton man and a teenager pleaded not guilty on May 2 to the fatal shooting of a Long Beach man, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.
Joe Anthony Avila was arraigned on one count each of murder and possession of a firearm by a felon. Jonathan Isaiah Buckner, 17, charged as an adult, was arraigned on one count of murder.
On the afternoon of Feb. 10, Robert Anthony Proano, 22, and his girlfriend were walking near the intersection of East Artesia Boulevard and Myrtle Avenue in Long Beach.
According to Deputy Dist. Atty. Dean Bengston, Avila approached Proano and asked him where he was from, then Buckner punched Proano in the face. As Proano attempted to fight back, Avila pulled a gun and shot him, Bengston said.
Proano was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 2:24 p.m., according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.
In April, Avila and Buckner were arrested in connection with the killing of Proano.
Both are expected back in court June 4 for a preliminary hearing.
-- Maloy Moore and Nicole Santa Cruz
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