USC Halloween Party Shooting: Brandon Spencer, suspected gunman, pleads not guilty

(CBS/AP) LOS ANGELES -  A Calif. man who allegedly opened fire at a Halloween party on the University of Souther California campus pleaded not guilty Monday to four counts of attempted murder.

PICTURES: Shooting at USC Halloween Party

Spencer, 22, appeared in court and was ordered held on $2.4 million bail. Los Angeles County prosecutors filed a complaint against him Monday.

His lawyer, James M. Simmons, told reporters that two men were initially arrested but only one was charged. He suggested that witnesses gave conflicting accounts of the incident to police.

Simmons said his client has no criminal record and had been scheduled to begin classes Monday at UCLA in a nursing and EMT program.

Four people were wounded Wednesday at the party attended by hundreds of people. It was sponsored by a student organization but neither the shooter nor the victims were students at USC.

The felony complaint said the shootings were committed for the benefit and at the direction of a criminal street gang. Simmons declined to comment on whether his client was a gang member.

Superior Court Judge Shelly Torrealba set his preliminary hearing for Dec. 6. If convicted, Spencer could face a life in prison.

More on Crimesider
Nov. 5, 2012 - USC Shooting: Brandon Spencer, 19, arrested in connection with Halloween campus shooting
Nov. 1, 2012 - USC Shooting: Two suspects in custody, four people wounded at campus Halloween party, police say