A 17-year-old accused of killing a pregnant woman and wounding six others inside a crowded California Halloween store has pleaded not guilty to the murder charges. Prosecutors are seeking to have him tried as an adult.
Monte Smith faces two counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder and three counts of assault with a semi-automatic weapon stemming from the Oct. 30 shooting at a Spirit Halloween store in Fairfield’s Solano Town Center mall.
One of the murder counts involves the death of 31-year-old Constance Hages, who was 13 weeks pregnant when she was shot. Prosecutors also charged Smith in connection with the death of Hages’ unborn child.
According to prosecutors, Smith went to the store looking for a man involved in a previous dispute and opened fire while more than 100 shoppers, including families with children, were inside browsing Halloween costumes.
Six other people were injured in the shooting, including a 16-year-old boy and five men ranging in age from 19 to 43.
Smith was reportedly on probation for an earlier shooting when the deadly attack occurred.
Authorities said he had fired at a vehicle carrying other teenagers in the parking lot of Fairfield High School in 2025. He spent several months in juvenile detention before his release.
Prosecutors are now asking the court to transfer the case to adult court.
“The law guiding the prosecution of minors has shifted substantially over the last 30 years,” the Solano County District Attorney’s Office said.
Prosecutors expect to receive a report early next year that will help determine whether Smith should be prosecuted as an adult.
He remains in juvenile hall, with his next hearing scheduled for Dec. 10.