Suspect Is Charged With Murder in Officer’s Slaying

A man arrested in Tijuana after an intensive manhunt was charged Monday with capital murder in the death of a rookie police officer in a shootout near the Burbank airport, the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office announced.

David Garcia faces murder and attempted murder charges in the Nov. 15 gun battle that killed Burbank Police Officer Matthew Pavelka and wounded veteran Officer Gregory Campbell.

Prosecutors also alleged that Garcia, 19, killed Pavelka to avoid arrest, and that Pavelka was “engaged in the performance of his duties” when he was fatally shot.

Garcia is being held without bail and is scheduled to be arraigned today in Burbank. If convicted, Garcia could face the death penalty.

“These are the defenders of our society,” said Deputy Dist. Atty. John Zajec. “We have to stand behind them. We can’t have them fighting for their lives in the course of a routine traffic stop.”

Pavelka, the son of a Los Angeles police detective, was the first officer killed in the line of duty in the Burbank department’s 82-year history. The 26-year-old joined the department after serving in the Air Force.

The shooting occurred in the parking lot of a Ramada Inn after Campbell, 41, saw two men sitting in a black Cadillac Escalade without license plates in an area known for gang and drug activity.

Campbell called for backup and Pavelka arrived almost immediately. Within moments, Garcia and a suspect, who was later identified as Ramon Aranda, 25, jumped out of the vehicle and started shooting, police said.

Pavelka was killed and Campbell was seriously wounded. Aranda was also killed.

With the help of fellow gang members, Garcia evaded arrest and fled across the border, police said. Mexican authorities arrested him at a home in Tijuana on Thanksgiving Day and returned him to the United States.

In addition to murder, Garcia faces other charges, including possession of a machine gun and an assault weapon and transportation of methamphetamine. Prosecutors also alleged that Garcia had armor-piercing ammunition and that the crimes were gang-related.

Garcia’s twin brother, James, and two other men also face charges.