COVINGTON — Two fatal shootings Monday brought the total of the city's recorded homicides for 2001 up to three, matching last year's total.

        The fatal shooting of Perry Pinkelton, 36, of Elsmere was in self-defense, Covington Police Sgt. Teal Nally said Tuesday.

        Mr. Pinkelton walked into the Deli Mart Express at 1131 Lee St. at 7:30 p.m. Monday, showed a clerk a gun and demanded money, according to Sgt. Nally. When a second clerk — armed with a handgun — confronted the robber, Mr. Pinkelton fired three times, missing each time. The clerk returned fire, shooting Mr. Pinkelton several times.

        Mr. Pinkelton died at St. Elizabeth Medical Center North in Covington.

        Dante Koreco English pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to murder in connection with Monday's other shooting, at Jacob Price housing project. Mr. English, 21, of 3104 Goebel Ave., Westwood, is being held at the Kenton County jail. A Kenton County District judge denied his request for bail.

        Police said Mr. English is suspected of shooting and killing Julian Hicks, 25, of Woolum Lane in Newport shortly before 3 p.m. Monday on 11th Street.

        At least one witness saw Mr. English shoot Mr. Hicks in the face, according to court records. Mr. Hicks died at University Hospital.

        Sgt. Nally said the men knew each other but that detectives were still investigating the nature of the relationship and the motive.

        The Boone/Kenton counties water rescue team spent Monday night through Tuesday evening searching for a gun in the Licking River near its confluence with the Ohio River. A witness claimed it was thrown in after the suspect led police on a car chase to the river. Nothing was found, and the search was suspended.

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