The man suspected of pulling the trigger in a fatal drive-by in a Turlock neighborhood has pleaded not guilty to the homicide charge lodged against him.

Gabriel Miranda, 23, is charged with the murder of Simon White, 24, of Turlock. White was shot to death May 2 outside a home in the 100 block of Vermont Avenue. Witnesses at the scene identified Miranda as the suspected shooter.

Miranda, a suspected member of the Norteno street gang, was apprehended June 2 in Burley, Idaho. His attempt to fight his extradition back to California was rejected earlier this week and he was returned to Stanislaus County.

Miranda made an appearance in Stanislaus County Superior Court Thursday afternoon for an arraignment, where he pleaded not guilty to the homicide charge and indicated he would be hiring his own attorney.

Miranda is being held at the Stanislaus County Jail in lieu of a $3 million bail. In addition to the homicide charge, Miranda is facing four outstanding misdemeanor counts of driving under the influence and two misdemeanor counts of driving on a suspended license.

A pretrial hearing for Miranda has been set for July 27.