La Cresta Double Killing: Accused Enters Plea On 2 Murder Charges

Murrieta CA

18 February, 2021

6:18 PM

Description

MURRIETA, CA — A convicted felon who allegedly joined two men in a home invasion robbery just west of Murrieta that ended in a deadly gunfight pleaded not guilty Thursday to two counts of murder and other charges. Michael Tong Shun Zhang, 34, of Los Angeles was arrested in late December following the botched armed robbery in the unincorporated community of La Cresta. Along with the murder counts, Zhang is charged with one count each of attempted murder, robbery and burglary. He was arraigned before Riverside County Superior Court Judge Judith Clark, who scheduled a felony settlement conference for March 22 at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta. The defendant is being held in lieu of $1 million bail at Smith Correctional Facility in Banning. His co-defendant, 33-year-old Dong Yang of Temple City, pleaded not guilty last month to robbery, first-degree burglary and a sentence-enhancing gun use allegation. He's being held on $85,000 bail at the Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta. According to sheriff's Sgt. Ben Ramirez, Zhang, Yang and 38-year-old Wang Lin allegedly went to the two-story residence in the 37000 block of Calle de Lobo about 9 a.m. on Dec. 26, intending to rob the occupants. However, after gaining access to the property, the trio were confronted by at least one victim armed with a handgun, Ramirez said. Lin was killed in the brief gun battle that ensued, along with 45-year-old Alejandro Camacho of Bullhead City, Arizona, who was staying at the home, according to the sergeant. Zhang was wounded, along with an unidentified occupant of the property. Both were taken to Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar for treatment and ultimately recovered. Two other men inside the house were not hurt. Ramirez alleged that Yang sped away before deputies reached the location. He was tracked down after evidence collected at the scene and elsewhere confirmed his alleged involvement, the sergeant said. Details regarding why the home was targeted were not released. According to court records, Zhang has a prior felony conviction for burglary. The murder charges against him include the death of his alleged co- conspirator, Lin. Under California law, anytime an accomplice is killed in a crime, the surviving defendant can be held responsible for the death. Records show Yang has a conviction in another jurisdiction, but no information was available.