Boston police crime scene tape.
Credit: Metro file photo
A Dorchester man accused of fatally shooting another man on Christmas Day pleaded not guilty to the murder.
Ian Holness, 27, pleaded not guilty on Thursday to murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, illegal gun possession and illegal possession of ammunition, according to the Suffolk district attorney’s office. He was ordered held without bail.
Holness allegedly fatally shot 36-year-old Rashaad O’Neill of Randolph early on Dec. 25.
Authorities said Holness and O’Neill were at a party at a Dorchester home when Holness shot him in the back of the head. As the party-goers fled along with Holness, one of them tried to stop him. That’s when Holness pointed the gun at the man, authorities said.
A group of women who were near O’Neill at the time of the party were driving away from the home before police arrived and were shot at by a person in a dark sedan. One of the passengers was hit in the hand. Nearby that scene, police found a damaged 2002 Jaguar belonging to Holness. It was towed away by police.
Hours later, authorities said Holness walked into the Mattapan neighborhood police station in search of his car.
Follow Michael Naughton on Twitter @metrobosmike.
