Downey shootings: Suspect pleads not guilty

LOS ANGELES

Jade Douglas Harris, 30, was charged last month with three counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder, three counts of kidnapping for carjacking, three carjacking counts, two kidnapping counts and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon.

On Oct. 24, Harris allegedly went to a fire extinguisher business after responding to an ad for a Camaro for sale. He had $25,000 cash for the purchase, but when he arrived, the car was not there. Investigators say Harris became enraged and killed two employees at the business.

Harris allegedly forced the wife of one of the shop's owners and her son to take him to their home down the street where the Camaro was located, and then killed the woman and wounded two others at the house.

Harris was arrested two days after the shootings.

The complaint against Harris also includes four special circumstance allegations: murder while lying in wait, murder in the commission of a kidnapping, murder in the commission of a carjacking and killing a witness to a crime. The allegations would make Harris eligible for the death penalty if he is convicted. The District Attorney's Office will not decide whether to seek the death penalty until the case moves closer to trial.

Harris is expected back in court on Dec. 18 when a date will be set for a preliminary hearing.

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