A man accused of gunning down a 34-year-old Lake Elsinore resident during a confrontation on the east end of the city must stand trial for first-degree murder and other charges, a judge ruled Friday.
Ian Norwood Wentz, 47, of Lake Elsinore allegedly killed Garrett Pickering in November.
Following a preliminary hearing at the Southwest Justice Center Friday, Riverside County Superior Court Judge Brian Aronson found there was sufficient evidence to bound Wentz over for trial on the murder count, as well as sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations.
The judge scheduled a post-preliminary hearing for April 24 at the Murrieta courthouse.
The defendant is being held without bail at the Byrd Detention Center.
According to sheriff’s Sgt. Alberto Loureiro, shortly before 9 p.m. on Nov. 8, the defendant was involved in an unspecified dispute with Pickering in the 2000 block of East Lakeshore Drive, near Elm Street.
During the confrontation, Wentz allegedly pulled a handgun and shot Pickering, then fled the scene, Loureiro said.
Witnesses called 911, and patrol deputies and paramedics reached the location minutes later, pronouncing the victim dead at the scene.
Wentz was quickly identified as the alleged shooter, but before a search was initiated, he surrendered without incident less than 24 hours later at the sheriff’s Lake Elsinore station on Limited Avenue.
There was no word on whether the two men were acquainted, or strangers.
Wentz has no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.