A man accused of shooting his girlfriend in the head at their Vista apartment complex pleaded not guilty Monday to a murder charge.
Estevan Montelongo, 41, was ordered held without bail. He faces 110 years to life if convicted in the death of 28-year-old Michelle Hashtani.
Montelongo allegedly opened fire on Hashtani with a pistol at their apartment complex in the 600 block of Ascot Drive on July 22. Sheriff’s deputies found the victim gravely injured in a pool area about 3 p.m.
Hashtani underwent emergency surgery, but died Aug. 3, said Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Reischl.
A motive for the shooting was not known.
Montelongo was tracked down and arrested in Pueblo, Colorado, on July 24 and was recently extradited to San Diego County to face charges.
He will be back in court Sept. 18 for a readiness conference and Nov. 6 for a preliminary hearing.
— City News Service
