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Eds: District Attorney’s Office PIO Ricardo Santiago can be reached at
(213) 974-3525.
LONG BEACH (CNS) – An 18-year-old reputed gang member pleaded not guilty
today to capital murder and robbery charges in the stabbing death of a 15-
year-old Cabrillo High School student who was targeted while walking home from
school.
Giovanny Montelongo allegedly stabbed Keshawn Brooks while trying to
snatch his backpack.
He is charged with murder, second-degree robbery and attempted second-
degree robbery, along with a special circumstance allegation of murder during
the commission of a robbery and gang and deadly weapon allegations.
Prosecutors have yet to decide whether to pursue the death penalty in
the event that Montelongo is convicted.
The criminal complaint states that Montelongo goes by the moniker
“Drowsy” and alleges that an attempted robbery against another victim the
same day was also committed “for the benefit of, at the direction of, and in
association with a criminal street gang.”
Brooks was attacked with a “sharp instrument” around 3:25 p.m. March
12 in the 2800 block of Santa Fe Avenue as he walked home from Cabrillo High,
according to Long Beach police and prosecutors.
Montelongo was arrested within hours at a residence in the 1700 block of
West Columbia Street. Police said he had three outstanding warrants,
including one no-bail warrant, all for alleged acts committed while he was a
juvenile.
Montelongo, who is being held without bail, is due back in court July 7.
