15-Year-Old to Be Charged in Shooting of Police Officer
Prosecutors expect to charge a 15-year-old boy today in connection with Wednesday’s shooting of a Santa Ana police officer.
Lt. Robert Chavez, 45, was wounded in the right hand after chasing a suspect into a garage following reports of gunfire near the Civic Center.
Deputy Dist. Atty. Bryan Brown said the suspect in the shooting, whose name was not released because of his age, may be charged with attempted murder of a police officer.
The youth will be tried as a juvenile because under state law no one under 16 can be tried as an adult, regardless of the seriousness of the crime, Brown said.
Three men were taken into custody in connection with the gunfire that Chavez was investigating. But none are being held in connection with the shooting of the officer, according to Lt. Robert Helton. Two of them were being held for possible parole violations.
Chavez was released from Western Medical Center-Santa Ana on Thursday morning and is home recuperating, Helton said.
The officer will be medically evaluated next week. Helton said he anticipates that Chavez, a watch commander, will be out a minimum of 30 days.
“If he feels better, knowing Bob, he’ll try to come back sooner,” Helton said.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
