A convicted felon accused of shooting at a neighbor with whom he got into a dispute over dangerous driving at a Murrieta apartment complex pleaded not guilty Friday to assault with a firearm and other offenses.
Michael Richard Munoz, 32, was arrested last month after the alleged attack at the Waterstone Apartments in the 24800 block of Hancock Avenue.
Along with the gun assault count, Munoz is charged with reckless discharge of a firearm, brandishing a gun and being a convicted felon in possession of a handgun.
The defendant was arraigned before Riverside County Superior Court Judge Kelly Hansen, who scheduled a felony settlement conference for Sept. 6 at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta.
The District Attorney’s Office requested that Munoz’s bail be increased from $30,000 to $100,000 because of the gun use allegation and the fact he has a criminal background. However, Hansen denied the motion and left the original bond amount in place, allowing the defendant to remain free. He posted bail on July 20, two days after he was arrested.
According to Murrieta police Lt. Ron Driscoll, about 9 p.m. on July 17, the defendant was speeding through the apartment complex parking lot when he allegedly came dangerously close to hitting another resident, whose identity was not released, walking away from his parked vehicle.
“This resulted in a heated exchange of words between Munoz and the (adult) male,” Driscoll said. “Munoz went to his apartment, retrieved a handgun and returned to confront the subject, who was now in the presence of other neighbors. Munoz pointed the handgun at the subjects, which prompted them to run.”
Driscoll alleged that the defendant fired a single shot at no one in particular, then retreated to his apartment.
Nobody was injured.
Officers arrived moments later, and after speaking with witnesses, arrested Munoz without a struggle, according to the lieutenant.
Court records show that Munoz has prior drug-related convictions.