Man accused in Malibu Creek State Park shootings pleads not guilty to murder, other charges
A man charged in a series of shootings at Malibu Creek State Park, including one that left an Orange County man dead, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to murder, attempted murder and commercial burglary.
Anthony Rauda, 42, stood just out of view of the public during the court hearing in Van Nuys. While his attorneys entered his plea, he was tucked in a corner inside the door to the courtroom’s inmate holding area.
The hearing took place after several delays — Judge Frank Tavelman twice pushed back his estimate for when Rauda might show up. It wasn’t clear why the court was unable to get Rauda to appear. A bailiff said attorneys were “trying to communicate with him.”
In an earlier appearance, Rauda was brought into the courtroom in restraints and with a spit mask over his head.
Following Tuesday’s hearing, attorneys for Rauda refused comment.
Prosecutors have charged Rauda with one count of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder and five counts of commercial burglary for the string of alleged crimes that began in November 2016.
The shootings ended last June with the killing of Tristan Beaudette, a 35-year-old father of two from Irvine who was asleep inside his tent in a campground at Malibu Creek State Park. Also inside the tent were his two daughters.
After Beaudette’s death, other victims of shootings at the park came forward with stories of how they were also targeted while they slept, or while they were driving through the area.
Next came reports of an armed burglary suspect operating near the park. In October, sheriff’s officials said they were searching for the man seen in security camera videos breaking into park buildings and a nearby community center.
The burglaries led to several large manhunts; sheriff’s detectives eventually found a trail of footprints that led them to Rauda, who was in a remote area of the park, armed with a rifle.
On Jan. 14, Los Angeles County prosecutors said in court documents that Rauda committed eight shootings total, six with a shotgun and two with a rifle.
Tavelman on Tuesday increased Rauda’s bail to $10 million. Rauda is expected to appear in court in Van Nuys for a preliminary hearing on Feb. 4.