EDINBURG — A La Joya man accused of shooting and killing a Rio Grande Valley social media influencer pleaded not guilty to murder Friday morning.
Gerardo Chapa Jr. appeared before state District Judge Mario E. Ramirez for his arraignment following the death of Luis Alonzo “Pepino” Gonzalez.
Chapa is accused of shooting and killing Gonzalez after an argument on Aug. 1.
A Hidalgo County grand jury indicted Chapa on Sept. 13.
Chapa claimed it was self-defense.
The shooting occurred in the 2000 block of Redbud Avenue in McAllen at about 3:35 p.m. Police found Gonzalez with multiple gunshot wounds.
Gonzalez’s family spoke to The Monitor the day of the funeral and described Gonzalez as a kind and giving man who was popular on social media.
On Friday, defense attorney Carlos A. Garcia asked the judge for an extension before going to pretrial.
Prosecutors requested that Chapa stay away from Gonzalez’s family. They were present during the morning arraignment and the judge granted the request.
The following pretrial hearing was set for early December.
Chapa remains free on a $75,000 bond.
To see more, view Monitor photojournalist Joel Martinez’s full photo gallery here:
Photo Gallery: Gerardo Chapa Jr. pleads not guilty to murder
