MURRIETA - A Temecula man accused of shooting his girlfriend during an argument at a house party pleaded not guilty today to attempted murder and other charges.

Shawn Jermaine Steward, 32, was arrested on Feb. 23 after a shooting in a residence in the 31700 block of Umbria Lane.

Steward appeared with his attorney today before Riverside County Superior Court Judge Elaine Johnson, who set a felony settlement conference in the case for April 16.

The defendant, who is being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta, could face more than 20 years in prison if convicted of the attempted murder count, as Advertisement

[ Murrieta Volkswagen ] well as assault with a deadly weapon and sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations.

According to sheriff's officials, Steward was partying with about 10 people in the predawn hours of Feb. 23 when he and his girlfriend went into a bedroom to settle a dispute.

During the ensuing argument, the defendant allegedly pulled a .40- caliber semi-automatic handgun and shot the woman, whose identity was not released.

An ambulance was called, and the victim was transported to a hospital for a non-life-threatening wound, said sheriff's Sgt. Kevin McDonald.

He said Steward was taken into custody without incident.

Court records did not show any convictions for prior criminal activity.