The San Francisco man accused of the fatal early morning shooting outside a San Mateo karaoke bar last month once again declined to enter a plea to first-degree murder.
Wei An Lu, 22, is also charged with inflicting great bodily injury and the use of a gun. If convicted, he faces 50 years to life in prison. Yesterday, Lu appeared in court for the second time but once again delayed a plea for the July 8 death of 30-year-old Wei Cheng Ma.
Lu was arrested by San Francisco police two weeks after the shooting outside Aqua Sound KTV Karaoke Club at 273 S. Railroad Ave. Officers recognized Lu from fliers using witness descriptions distributed after the shooting.
Police don't believe Lu and Ma knew each other prior to the shooting but argued as their two groups of friends left karaoke rooms near 2 a.m. As they walked onto Third Avenue, Lu allegedly fired a gun at Ma's head before fleeing.
Lu remains in custody on no-bail status. He returns to court Aug. 11.
Next month, an ordinance takes effect mandating karaoke bars have no locks on private rooms. The rooms must also have windows. Even before the shooting, San Mateo police worried about increased crime at karaoke bars and claimed private rooms allowed illegal drugs and prostitution. The shooting at Aqua was the first since new management took over the club.
Michelle Durand can be reached by e-mail: michelle@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 104. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.
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