2 alleged Bloods members plead not guilty to shooting Hempstead dad

Two teenagers pleaded not guilty Monday to murder charges in the Christmas Day shooting authorities said killed a Hempstead father who was walking to pick up his 11-year-old daughter at a nearby train station.

Authorities have said victim Rafael Cepeda, 35, wasn’t the intended target, but was fatally wounded when a bullet hit him in the chest as he crossed the street in front of a vehicle on Christmas evening on Terrace Avenue.

Authorities have alleged Antoine Foster, 17, fired on the vehicle believing it belonged to a rival gang, and that Shameq Sullins, 17, acted as his lookout. Police said the Hempstead teenagers belong to the Bloods street gang.

Both defendants denied charges of second-degree murder Monday at their Nassau County Court arraignment, with Foster also pleading not guilty to two weapon charges, their attorneys said.

The indictment follows Foster’s June arrest in Alexandria, Virginia, after what authorities said was a six-month run from the law. Police arrested Sullins about a week after the shooting. Authorities never found the gun used in the slaying, according to the Nassau district attorney's office.

Acting State Supreme Court Justice William O’Brien on Monday ordered both defendants held without bail.

Nassau District Attorney Madeline Singas, in a prepared statement, called Cepeda "an innocent victim killed by senseless gang violence" and said her office would "vigorously prosecute this case."

Mineola defense attorney Christopher Devane, who represents Foster, said Monday he was “thankful that the evidence is starting to be turned over.” He added he felt surveillance video would “exculpate” his client and “hopefully point police in the direction of the actual shooter.”

Defense attorney Joseph Lo Piccolo, who represents Sullins, said Monday his client “didn’t know there was going to be a shooting,” and security video shows his client wasn’t outside at the time of the crime.

“He absolutely denies any specific intent to aid and abet the co-defendant in the commission of this crime,” the Garden City lawyer added.