Trial Proceedings Begin for Felon Accused of Shooting Roommate During Dispute

BANNING (CNS) – Pretrial motions began Wednesday ahead of jury selection for the trial of a 40-year-old convicted felon accused of chasing down and shooting his roommate during an altercation that erupted over money at their Hemet apartment. Dante Trimell Cooper was arrested in March 2022 after the alleged attack in the 300 block of West Kimball Avenue, near State Street. Cooper is charged with attempted murder, being a felon in possession of a loaded gun and sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations. The defendant’s case was assigned Wednesday to the courtroom of Riverside County Superior Court Judge Jorge Hernandez at the Banning Justice Center. Hernandez received motions from the prosecution and defense regarding witnesses, scheduling and evidence. Proceedings were slated to continue Thursday, with opening arguments expected early next week. Cooper is being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta. According to Hemet police Lt. Nathan Miller, about 4:30 p.m. on March 2, 2022, Cooper was involved in a heated exchange with his roommate, identified only as a 42-year-old man with the initials "J.M.," at their Kimball Avenue apartment. Miller said that the argument, connected to cost sharing, escalated into a fight, and the roommate "hit (the defendant) in the face and head and began running." "(Cooper) chased after the man and then shot him several times," the lieutenant alleged. Patrol officers reached the location within a couple of minutes and found the victim wounded but conscious, according to Miller. He said the man pointed out Cooper, who was nearby, and the defendant was taken into custody without a struggle. The victim underwent surgery at a regional trauma center and has since recovered. Cooper was treated for his injuries and transported to the Murrieta jail. Court records show that he has prior felony convictions in another jurisdiction, but they weren’t specified. Copyright 2023, City News Service, Inc.