UTICA — A pre-trial suppression hearing has been set for early May for a 20-year-old Utica man accused of fatally shooting his friend in November, according to Oneida County Court officials.

Dontay Horning — who faces one count each of second-degree murder and second-degree possession of a weapon — made a brief appearance before Oneida County Court Judge Michael L. Dwyer Thursday morning, court officials said. The appearance was for routine motion arguments between the attorneys, and May 4 was set as the date for a suppression hearing.

Horning made a statement to law enforcement officers after the shooting, and that statement will be the focus of the suppression hearing, to determine if the statement can be used at any future trial.

Authorities said Horning shot and killed 24-year-old Kaeron Henderson in the 1500 block of Whitesboro Street around 12:15 a.m. on Nov. 20. According to court documents, Horning fired “several rounds” from a semi-automatic handgun at “close range.” Henderson was struck twice by gunfire, once in the midsection and once in the left arm, authorities stated.

Utica Police said it was believed that Horning and Henderson were friends prior to the shooting, which took place outside the Cathedral Gardens Apartments.