Trial Date Set for Felon Who Allegedly Shot Ex

A Feb. 5 trial date was confirmed Tuesday for a 54-year-old convicted felon who allegedly shot his ex-girlfriend multiple times at her Eastvale residence then fled to Texas, eluding capture for almost two months.

Malik Daron Minnix of Eastvale is charged with attempted murder, firearm assault, domestic violence, being a felon in possession of a gun, violating a domestic violence restraining order and sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations stemming from the alleged 2020 attack.

During a status hearing Tuesday at the Riverside Hall of Justice, Riverside County Superior Court Judge Joshlyn Pulliam conferred with the prosecution and defense regarding trial scheduling, and both sides agreed to work on clearing their calendars for proceedings at the beginning of February.

Minnix is being held on $1 million bail at the Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta.

According to Sgt. Brian Gutierrez of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, Minnix confronted his former partner, identified in court documents only as "D.S.," shortly after 10 a.m. on Aug. 15, 2020, at a residence in the 6400 block of Peridot Court, near Osprey Street, and opened fire on her with a handgun, then fled.

Gutierrez said the victim suffered several wounds and was taken to a hospital, where she underwent surgery. She has since recovered.

Deputies scoured the area for Minnix, but there was no sign of him, according to the sergeant. An arrest warrant was issued five days later, and over the ensuing six weeks, fugitive apprehensions investigators worked on tracking him down.

The defendant was located and taken into custody without incident in Dallas, Texas, on Oct. 4, 2020.

Court records show he has prior convictions for assault with a deadly weapon, domestic abuse and violating a criminal protective order.