An 18-year-old suspected gang member pleaded not guilty on Monday to a felony murder charge for the killing of a transgender woman on Oct. 2 in East Hollywood.

Aniya Parker was shot and killed on Oct. 2 in East Hollywood. (photo courtesy of the LAPD)

The suspect was identified as Eric Carreon Carrillo of Los Angeles. He was already in custody on an unrelated charge when the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office issued an arrest warrant for him on Dec. 23 for the murder. Det. Ray Martinez, with the Los Angeles Police Department’s Rampart Division, said the suspect turned 18 on Jan. 5, and the fact that he was still a juvenile when the warrant was unsealed caused a delay in the arraignment. Martinez added that the intent was always to charge Carrillo as an adult.

The defendant is accused of murdering Aniya Knee Parker, 47, who was walking near the intersection of Melrose and Kenmore avenues at approximately 3 a.m. on Oct. 2 when she was confronted by three men. An altercation ensued, and Carrillo allegedly shot Parker multiple times. The victim walked a short distance and collapsed. Bystanders called authorities, and Parker was taken by paramedics to a hospital, where she later died. Martinez said police do not believe the homicide was related to the victim’s gender or sexual orientation.

“It appears to be narcotics related,” he added. “Everything we have been investigating indicates it was not a hate crime.”

The incident was captured on surveillance camera video. Authorities are still searching for two additional suspects who were with the alleged defendant at the time of the shooting. They are described as Hispanic men approximately 20 to 25 years old. Martinez said they are also believed to be gang members.

Police are also searching for an African American man, possibly a transient, who was seen with Parker shortly before the homicide. He is considered a potential witness.

Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office spokesman Greg Risling said Carrillo is being held in custody on $2.04 million bail. The defendant is scheduled to return to court on March 6 for a preliminary hearing.