HOBBS, N.M. – A 19-year-old facing charges for killing three people at a southeastern New Mexico backyard party is moving closer to trial.

The Hobbs News-Sun reports Bishop Henderson III is scheduled this week to face a judge for a preliminary hearing in the deaths of 18-year-old Khalil Carter and 24-year-old Kristal Avena, both of Hobbs, and 22-year-old Lamar Lee Kane Jr. of Washington, D.C. Four others were taken to a hospital with gunshot wounds.

Hobbs police say the three were killed when Henderson opened fire at a Hobbs party in August.

Henderson is facing three counts of murder.

Witnesses told police Henderson was the DJ of the party.

Henderson’s defense attorney says the backyard attack began as a drive-by shooting.