2 Men Deny Charges in Shooting That Seriously Injured 11-Year-Old Pasadena Boy in Front of His Home

Two men pleaded not guilty Monday to charges stemming from a shooting that left a young boy severely wounded as he played in front of his Pasadena home on Valentine’s Day, authorities said.

Joseph Mekhi Knowles, 21, of Altadena, and Tanaj Johnson, 22, of Pasadena denied charges of attempted murder and mayhem related to the afternoon shooting in the 300 block of Villa Street, near Villa Parke. They were ordered back to the Pasadena branch of Los Angeles County Superior Court on Aug. 20 for a hearing in their case.

Knowles is additionally charged with possession of a firearm by a felon and had a prior conviction for robbery, according to the felony complaint filed against him.

Johnson is additionally awaiting trial in connection with the fatal shooting of a man and a dog in Monrovia that took place in March, according to court records and Lt. Brandon Dean of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau.

The victim of the Pasadena shooting was 10 years old at the time, but turned 11 while hospitalized for his injuries, according to family.

Knowles and Johnsn are accused of opening fire in front of his home as he played, striking the child. No motive has been released, but Pasadena Lt. William Grisafe said investigators do not believe the boy was the intended target of the attack.

The victim underwent numerous surgeries and was released from a hospital more than a month after the shooting to continue a lengthy recovery at home.

He is expected to have permanent injuries as a result of the shooting, resulting in the mayhem charges against the defendants, police said.

Through an investigation, Pasadena police homicide detectives identified Knowles and Johnson as suspects in the shooting, police said.

Knowles was arrested in May, while Johnson had already been arrested in April in connection with the Monrovia killing when he was identified as a suspect in the Pasadena shooting.

In the Monrovia case, Johnson and two accomplices are accused of fatally shooting a man and a dog on March 29 in front of a home in the 100 block of East Los Angeles Avenue, according to Dean.

Johnson pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and animal abuse last month, court records show.

According to county booking records, Knowles was being held without bail, while bail for Johnson was set at $3.35 million.

Related:

Suspect in Shooting of Pasadena Child Also Accused of Killing Man, Dog in Monrovia

2 Suspects Arrested in Shooting of Child in Pasadena

11-Year-Old Boy Severely Wounded in Pasadena Shooting Released From Hospital; First Responders Welcome Him Home

10-Year-Old Boy Wounded in Shooting Near Villa Parke in Pasadena