The man police say fired the shots that killed up-and-coming Atlanta rapper Dolla in a Beverly Hills shopping mall pleaded not guilty in a L.A. courtroom today.

Aubrey Berry, aka “AB”, a 23-year-old Atlanta nightclub promoter, pleaded not guilty to one charge of murder and two counts of assault with a firearm. Police say Berry followed Dolla, 21, real name Roderick Anthony Burton II, to a PF Changs restaurant inside the upscale Beverly Center shopping complex where he was confronted by Dolla and his crew in the restaurant restroom.

After throwing up gang signs (Dolla was allegedly a member of the Crips) a fight ensued and spilled outside the restaurant. Other reports say Berry was in the valet area waiting for his car when Dolla and two others, his cousin Scrapp Deleon and local rapper D.J. Shabazz, approached him. Berry’s attorney said he felt threatended and drew his weapon firing two shots into the back of the unarmed Dolla as he ran away. One bullet pierced Dolla’s heart killing him.

According to one source, Berry was licensed to carry a concealed weapon, which explains how he was able to get the firearm through airport security. Berry remains jailed in L.A. on $5 million bail.

Photo by ATLPics.net