| 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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