An 18-year-old man arrested on suspicion of fatally shooting a 12-year-old boy in National City appeared in court Monday on gun-related charges, but he was not immediately charged with the boy’s killing.
Carlos Maldonado was arrested on suspicion of committing the Nov. 15, 2024, shooting at a vacant National City house on N Avenue, where police said a party attended by more than 100 people was being held. Elijah Smith, a Lemon Grove Academy student, was killed, while four other teens between the ages of 14 and 18 were wounded by the gunfire.
Maldonado was initially held without bail in connection with the boy’s death, but bail was set Monday afternoon at $50,000 after prosecutors filed charges related to gun possession, with gang-related allegations…