Arraignment for a reputed Los Angeles County gang member accused of gunning down a man in front of a Desert Hot Springs supermarket was delayed today for a second day in a row because of a flu quarantine at the Indio Jail.

The hearing was rescheduled for Wednesday for 18-year-old Anthony Raymond Magdaleno, who faces a murder charge in the Oct. 10 death of 45-year-old Chi-Lu ``Tony'' Chen at the Vons store on Palm Drive.

His arraignment has been delayed three times because of the quarantine.

Riverside County jails have been quarantining inmates with flu-like symptoms in attempt to keep the H1N1 virus and the seasonal flu from spreading through the population, said Capt. Raymond Gregory, who oversees jails in Indio and Blythe.

Magdaleno, who admits being a member of the gang Varrio Hawaiian Gardens, was arrested Wednesday night in Los Angeles County.

A witness told police that Chen was confronted in front of the store by the shooter, according to a declaration in support of an arrest warrant.

The witness said the victim and suspect began talking, and ``it appeared
to be an unpleasant conversation. However, they were not physically involved,
nor did it appear to be anything protracted or violent,'' according to Desert
Hot Springs police Sgt. Dan Bressler, who prepared the document.

When Chen turned away and took a step toward the sliding door to enter
the store, the suspect made a remark and Chen turned to respond, Bressler
wrote.

As the victim turned, Magdaleno took a step toward the victim, raising his arm and pulling the trigger, the sergeant said.

A witness reported hearing the shot and seeing the muzzle flash before the gunman fled on foot toward a McDonald's just west of the supermarket, according to Bressler.

Police have not determined a motive for the slaying.

Magdaleno was identified as the shooter by several witnesses who said they came into contact with him as he fled.

Chen had recently moved to the Coachella Valley to work in sales and marketing at the Agua Caliente Hotel on Palm Drive, which is across the street from the supermarket.