Teen suspect in deadly mass shooting at California Halloween store appears in court to face murder charges

The 17-year-old accused of gunning down a pregnant woman and shooting six others inside a packed California Halloween store pleaded not guilty to murder charges as prosecutors push to have him tried as an adult.

Monte Smith, 17, faces two counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder and three counts of assault with a semi-automatic weapon in the Oct. 30 bloodbath at a Spirit Halloween store inside Fairfield’s Solano Town Center mall.

One of the murder charges stems from the death Constance Hages, 31, who was 13 weeks pregnant when she was shot. Prosecutors also charged Smith in connection with the death of her unborn child.

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Prosecutors allege Smith tracked down a man with whom he had a previous dispute inside the store and opened fire as more than 100 shoppers, including families with children, browsed Halloween costumes.

Six others were wounded, including a 16-year-old boy and five men between 19 and 43.

Smith was allegedly already on probation for a previous shooting when the deadly attack unfolded.

Authorities said he fired into a vehicle occupied by other teenagers in the parking lot of Fairfield High School in 2025. He spent several months in juvenile detention before being released.

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Now, prosecutors are seeking to move the case into adult court.

“The law guiding the prosecution of minors has shifted substantially over the last 30 years,” said the Solano County District Attorney’s Office.

Prosecutors expect a report early next year to help determine whether Smith should face adult charges.

He remains in juvenile hall, and his next hearing is scheduled for Dec. 10.