The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed criminal charges Tuesday against a man it accuses of shooting multiple times at a Marina del Rey apartment complex.
Prosecutors charged Victoryloc Nguyen, 41, with several counts of attempted murder and assault with a machine gun or assault weapon against a law enforcement officer and civilians, one count of shooting into an inhabited dwelling and one count of first-degree burglary of a residence. Nguyen has pleaded not guilty to all charges, prosecutors said in a news release.
During his first court appearance, Nguyen was seen smiling and making a heart shape with his hands, gesturing toward people in the courtroom, ABC7 reported.
Dist. Atty. George Gascón accused Nguyen of carrying out a “senseless shooting.”
“Innocent civilians and law enforcement officers were cruelly targeted without provocation,” he said.
Prosecutors say that at 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Nguyen fired several shots throughout the Marina del Rey apartment complex in the 4100 block of Via Marina.
“Nguyen wore a tactical vest and was armed with two assault weapons and a handgun,” prosecutors said in their statement. “He also carried several loaded magazines for the various weapons.”
Nguyen allegedly fired more than 90 rounds at deputies and residents at various locations in the apartment complex over a three-hour period.
Videos posted on social networks showed a man shooting from what appears to be an apartment balcony and he can be heard saying, “I could shoot at a car right now and no one would care.” ” In other videosBystanders shelter in their homes or take cover while gunshots can be heard in the background.
Two photographs from the scene released by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department showed two rifles, a handgun and tactical gear lying on the ground after the suspect’s arrest early Sunday.
Gascón praised the law enforcement officers who responded to the call, saying they protected civilians while arresting Nguyen without firing a single shot.
Nguyen, who remains jailed in lieu of $5.25 million bail, faces life in prison if convicted as charged.
California Daily Newspapers
