Clearlake man pleads not guilty to murder and attempted killing

A Clearlake man pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Lake County Superior Court to killing one of his in-laws and wounding three others who were trying to protect his wife at the Elem Indian Colony.

Ezequiel “Junior” Bravo, 24, is charged with one count of murder, three counts of attempted murder and 32 special allegations, most involving the use of firearms to commit the crimes and causing great bodily injury.

He faces up to four life sentences in connection to the Dec. 1 shooting. Lake County District Attorney Don Anderson said he also is considering seeking the death penalty.

Bravo is alleged to have forced his way into the victims’ home in search of his estranged wife, Shian Brown, the mother of his two children, ages 3 and 1. In the process, he shot and killed Theresa Jones, 46, and wounded her sister, Stephanie Brown, who is Shian’s mother. Also wounded were Stephanie Brown’s husband, Robert Brown, and a 6-year-old child.

Shian Brown, who family members had hidden under a bed, was unharmed. Her children at the time were at the home Bravo shared with his family.

You can reach Staff Writer Glenda Anderson at 707-462-6473 or glenda.anderson@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter ?@MendoReporter