Benicia Man Pleads Not Guilty To San Pablo Shooting

MARTINEZ - A man entered a not guilty plea Tuesday in a Martinez courtroom in connection with the fatal shooting of a 28-year-old man near San Pablo two years ago.

Beal Xavier Hickman, 30, of Benicia, pleaded not guilty to murder and the possession of a firearm by a felon. He did not appear with an attorney as he is currently representing himself in his case.

Hickman, who has already had a preliminary hearing, is accused of shooting Chadwick Brice on Feb. 16, 2014 at an apartment complex on Crestwood Drive in the unincorporated community of Tara Hills.

Contra Costa County sheriff’s deputies received a report at about 3 a.m. that day that Brice arrived at the now-shuttered Doctors Medical Center in San Pablo with multiple gunshot wounds.

Brice was transferred to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek, where he later died, sheriff’s officials said. Deputies arrested Hickman later that day.

Sheriff’s officials said Hickman and Brice were acquaintances.

After pleading not guilty to all charges Tuesday, Hickman’s next court appearance will be on May 20.

-Bay City News, image via ShutterStock