Jacob McMillan, 18, of Baldwin, indicted in killing of Amira McCleod in Hempstead

A Baldwin man pleaded not guilty Friday to multiple murder and weapons charges for allegedly firing a gun outside a house party and killing a college athlete in attendance.

Jacob McMillan, 18, shot three bullets after he refused to be searched before entering a Hempstead house party on Nov. 22, according to Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly. The final bullet fatally struck Amira McCleod, a Monroe University basketball player. In a statement, Donnelly described McCleod, 19, as “a promising athlete in her sophomore year at Monroe University simply spending a Saturday night out with friends when she was cut down by a stray bullet.”

The shooting occurred around 10:50 p.m., when one of the party’s hosts attempted to pat McMillan down before granting him entry to the Willow Avenue home. McMillan allegedly “pulled away” and fired two bullets at the man, who “was struck in the arm as he dove behind a car to shield himself,” according to a news release from Donnelly’s office.

As McMillan fled the home heading south on Kennedy Avenue, he allegedly turned around and fired his third bullet, “which went through the shoulder of another victim and struck … McCleod, of St. Albans, Queens, who was attending the house party with her friends,” the district attorney’s release said. McCleod, who was standing outside the Hempstead home, was pronounced dead at the scene. The two other individuals who had been shot were transported to hospitals for treatment.

Following the incident, McMillan allegedly hid in a backyard a block away from the party before a ride-share service collected him around 11 p.m., according to Donnelly. He exited the car at an address that abuts his residence.

Prosecutors said video evidence allegedly captured McMillan travelling to the house party, refusing the pat down, and firing a weapon, Newsday previously reported.

Prosecutors also alleged that on Nov. 16, McMilllan burglarized an Elmont home for a PlayStation 5, which was later recovered at his own residence. He was arrested and charged with second-degree burglary for that incident.

“Jacob McMillan was being monitored by pre-trial services for a non-bail qualifying felony when he fired the shot that took Amira’s life and is now also being prosecuted for another alleged burglary that took place just days before the shooting,” Donnelly said in a statement Friday. “Our thoughts are with Amira’s family, friends, and school community as we prosecute this defendant for his senseless violence.”

Brian James Carmody, a defense attorney representing McMillan, did not immediately return a voicemail from Newsday seeking comment late Friday.

Nassau police arrested McMillan on Dec. 2 and charged him with second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder, two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and second-degree burglary, Newsday previously reported. On Friday, McMillan was rearraigned before Judge Helene Gugerty in Nassau County Court “on grand jury indictment charges” of two counts of second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder, first-degree criminal use of a firearm and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

McMillan pleaded not guilty during his rearraignment and was remanded to custody, according to Donnelly. He is scheduled to return to court on Feb. 23.