A 29-year-old TikTok influencer has pleaded not guilty to fatally shooting his wife and her friend.
Ali Abulaban, better known as JinnKid, appeared in San Diego County Superior Court on Monday for arraignment.
The criminal complaint, obtained by KNX 1070, reveals the social media influencer, with nearly 1 million followers on TikTok, faces two murder charges.
Court filings indicated the shooting occurred shortly before 3 p.m. last Thursday in a luxury, high-rise apartment in San Diego’s East Village occupied by Abulaban’s wife, Ana, 28.
Prosecutors alleged Abulaban had a history of domestic violence, describing the relationship with his wife as contentious. Ana called police in September to report he had pushed her, documents said, causing injuries. She reportedly planned to obtain a restraining order.
Ana asked him to move out of their shared apartment on Oct. 18, attorneys said, forcing him to check into a nearby hotel. Prosecutors said Abulaban returned to the apartment three days later while his wife was out and “trashed” the place. They further alleged he installed a covert audio listening app on their 5-year-old daughter’s iPad, and left it charging in the master bedroom.
A few hours later, Abulaban reportedly heard his wife conversing with a man over the app. Prosecutors said Abulaban immediately returned to the apartment and was captured on surveillance footage rushing from an elevator to the unit’s front door.
Upon reentering the apartment, Alulaban allegedly shot Rayburn Cadenas Barron, 29, of National City, three times, then shot his wife in the head. Prosecutors said he then called his mother and confessed to the crimes.
Still armed, Abulaban proceeded to pick his daughter up from school, who was not present for the shooting. After collecting her, Abulaban called police while driving on State Route 94. They arrested him shortly after 4 p.m. on State Route 15 near Interstate 805.
Prosecutors alleged Abulaban confessed to the killings in conversations with detectives, accusing his wife of having an affair with Barron. Court filings showed prosecutors don’t believe the latter and argue Barron was Ana’s platonic friend.
Because of the combination of charges and special allegations Abulaban faces, prosecutors could pursue the death penalty. The San Diego District Attorney’s office has not indicated whether it plans to do so.
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