A man accused of wounding two people at whom he fired a shotgun in San Jacinto must stand trial for attempted murder and other charges, a judge ruled Friday.
Devin Adriel Smith, 27, of Riverside was arrested last year, a month after the alleged attack in the 500 block of Palm Avenue, near San Jacinto Avenue.
Following a preliminary hearing at the Banning Justice Center, Riverside County Superior Court Judge W. Charles Morgan found there was sufficient evidence to warrant a trial on two counts of attempted murder, possession of a sawed-off shotgun, possession of a controlled substance while armed, possession of a controlled substance for sale and sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations.
Morgan scheduled a post-preliminary hearing arraignment for April 27.
Smith is being held in lieu of $2 million bail at the Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta.
According to sheriff’s Sgt. Robert Duckett, the shooting occurred on the evening of Jan. 15, 2017, at the home of a couple, whose names were not released.
Duckett alleged that the victims were approached by Smith, who walked up and opened fire with the shotgun. He allegedly fired several times as the man and woman “ran for cover,” Duckett said.
“The victims suffered non-life-threatening wounds from the shotgun pellets,” Duckett said, adding that Smith fled the scene.
The couple were treated at a hospital and fully recovered from their injuries.
In the ensuing weeks, detectives conducted an investigation that culminated in the identification of Smith as the alleged perpetrator, according to Duckett.
A possible motive was not disclosed.
Deputies served a warrant at the defendant’s apartment in the 4600 block of Van Buren Boulevard, where he was arrested without a struggle.
Smith has no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.