LOS ANGELES — A security guard at a Gardena market was charged Wednesday with murder after a fight ensued after someone was not wearing a mask.
Umeir Corniche Hawkins, 38, of Gardena faces one count each of murder and possession of a handgun by a felon.
His wife, Sabrina Carter, also is charged with one count of possession of a handgun by a felon.
The felony complaint said both were convicted in 2013 for assault by means of force likely to produce great bodily injury.
Hawkins and Carter pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Jerry Lewis, 50, reportedly entered the market without a mask and got into an argument with Hawkins on July 5, prosecutors said. Lewis then left the store, returned and allegedly fought with the defendant who then fatally shot the victim as he walked away, prosecutors added.
Bail for Hawkins is set at $1 million and $35,000 for Carter. Hawkins faces a possible maximum sentence of 50 years to life in state prison and Carter faces three years in prison.
The case remains under investigation by the Gardena Police Department.
