16-YEAR-OLD GRAFFITI TAGGER CHARGED AS ADULT FOR STABBING AND ATTEMPTING TO MURDER RETIRED POLICE OFFICER

For Immediate Release
March 2, 2007
Contact:
Farrah Emami
Spokesperson
Office: 714-347-8405
Cell: 714-323-4486

 

16-YEAR-OLD GRAFFITI TAGGER CHARGED AS

ADULT FOR STABBING AND ATTEMPTING TO

MURDER RETIRED POLICE OFFICER

 

WESTMINSTER – The Orange County District Attorney has filed charges against a 16-year-old tagger for stabbing and trying to murder a retired police officer. Luke Artinger, Huntington Beach, has been charged as an adult with attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and sentencing enhancements for personally inflicting great bodily injury and the personal use of a deadly weapon. He is being held without bail and faces a maximum sentence of 13 years in prison if convicted.  He is scheduled to be arraigned today, Friday, March 2, 2007, at 1:30 p.m. in Department W-15, West Justice Center, Westminster.

 

On February 28, 2007, Artinger is accused of writing graffiti behind a business at 8851 Adams Avenue in Huntington Beach.  The victim, Ronald Chavers, a retired Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff, was sitting in a car nearby and got out to confront the defendant and hold him until police arrived.  Artinger is accused of trying to run away from Chavers after the victim had identified himself as “police,” and then turning and stabbing Chavers as he tried to stop him from escaping.  Artinger is accused of stabbing the victim multiple times and then fleeing into a nearby Petco store. The victim was rushed to UCI Medical Center where he is in stable, but guarded condition. 

 

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