Reputed Drug Dealer Says He Didn’t Kill
INDIO -A 19-year-old reputed marijuana dealer accused of shooting three men, killing one of them, in a botched drug deal in Desert Hot Springs pleaded not guilty today to murder and other felony charges.
Christian Andrew Kong, who also faces charges of attempted murder and beating a police dog, is charged in the Dec. 19 shooting death of 19-year-old Melvin Thomas Hall.
Kong, who is being held in lieu of $1.5 million bail, appeared before Riverside County Superior Court Judge Thomas N. Douglass, who set a Feb. 5 felony settlement conference date.
Kong is accused of opening fire around 1:45 a.m. on a white Chevrolet Malibu containing the victim, along with Troy Hill, 22, of Bermuda Dunes; Hill’s sister, Shayna Hill, 24; and her boyfriend, Deondre Gholar, 27, both of Las Vegas.
Kong allegedly shot at the car during a drug transaction near Fifth Street and Golden Eagle Way, said Sgt. Dan Bressler of the Desert Hot Springs Police Department.
Troy Hill, who was shot in the face, was initially on life support but is expected to survive, according to Bressler.
Gholar was shot in the leg, but Shayna Hill was not hit.
After the shooting, Kong fled to his Avenida Dorado home, where officers tracked him with a canine unit, the sergeant said. Kong was treated at a hospital for a bite wound to his hand before being booked into jail.
Police found several marijuana plants and indications of marijuana sales at Kong’s home, Bressler said.
Investigators also recovered a .357 revolver that police believe was used in the shooting. The gun was reported stolen during a robbery in the city, according to Bressler.
