Accused Salinas taqueria shooter pleads not guilty, heads to trial

The man accused of killing three people and injuring four others in a shooting at a Salinas taqueria pleaded not guilty to all charges Tuesday.

Giovanni Pacheco faces multiple charges for the shooting outside Taco’s Choice last summer.

He was arraigned in Monterey County Superior Court Tuesday after a judge ruled in a preliminary hearing that there was enough evidence to go to trial.

Pacheco pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder, four counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

He’s due back in court on Sept. 30.

Pacheco was taken into custody just hours after the early-morning shooting, which occurred after a fight inside the taqueria spilled outside.

A 22-year-old, 28-year-old and 25-year-old man died from gunshot wounds suffered in the brawl.