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LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Criminal proceedings were suspended today after doubt was declared about the mental competency of a man charged with murder and other counts for allegedly gunning down one man in a group of people trying to detain him after a vehicle burglary and attempted carjacking in Covina.
Trevor Howard Thompson of Glendora is accused in the shooting last Dec. 21 that killed Joey Manuel Casias, a father of three and a 19-year UPS employee.
Thompson was confronted by a group of people in a Covina neighborhood for allegedly breaking into a parked BMW, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. Thompson then allegedly attempted to carjack one of the residents' vehicles and then attacked another man, prosecutors said.
Casias, 38, of Covina, intervened to try to stop the attack when Thompson shot at the man he was struggling with and fatally shot Casias, according to the District Attorney's Office.
Thompson was arrested the next day after an hours-long standoff with police. He was charged Dec. 27 with one felony count each of murder, attempted murder, assault with a semiautomatic firearm, attempted carjacking, second-degree burglary of a vehicle, resisting an executive officer, vandalism and possession of a firearm by a felon.
``This is an especially heartbreaking incident since Mr. Casias was simply acting as a good Samaritan,'' District Attorney George Gascón said in a statement announcing the charges. ``As we seek to ensure accountability, we also will make every possible service available to the victims and their families.''
A GoFundMe account established to help Casias' family has raised more than $138,000.
Proceedings will now be held in mental health court to determine if Thompson is mentally competent or incompetent. A status conference is scheduled March 22 in Pomona.