--Javier Orantez Chavez shot first at two officers--
Two Los Angeles Police officers returned fire at a known MS-13 gangmember Saturday night, striking and killing him after he first shot at them during a foot pursuit, authorities reported.
Officer Auston Price, 44, and his 29-year old partner Officer Joseph Goosby, both assigned to the Metropolitan Division, were patrolling in the 3600 block of 30th Street due to a recent spike in violent activity between two rival gangs, the Rolling 30’s and the Black P-Stones.
About 8:40 p.m. April 14, Officers Price and Goosby stopped their car to speak to 30-year old Javier Orantez Chavez, riding by on a skateboard. Chavez jumped off his board and fled on foot with officers in pursuit, and ran between two houses, police said. As the officers rounded a corner, Chavez fired at them.
According to the LAPD news release, both officers returned fire then approached the suspects location in the darkness. They found Chavez dead at the scene with a .357 caliber Magnum revolver nearly, and an expensive digital camera next to his body.
"Our initial impressions are that the camera may have been stolen from a car or home nearby," said LAPD spokesman Lieutenant Paul Vernon. "Chavez has a record for burglary."
During an autopsy performed yesterday, detectives learned Chavez was wearing a gun holster under his shirt, and that he carried extra ammunition. The autopsy also showed he had been shot in the past, as examination of his body revealed a healed wound with a bullet still lodged in his leg. Chavez hands were tattooed with letters spelling out “MSX3”, indicating his association with the Mara Salvatrucha gang, also known as MS-13.
According to LAPD statistics, this incident marks the eighth time this year suspects have fired at their officers, and it was the 21st officer-involved shooting. “In all but four of the 21 officer-involved shootings, suspects have either pointed or fired guns at officers,” they said. In the remaining four incidents, officers were attacked with knives twice, a metal bar once, and an officer’s baton once. Two officers have been wounded this year by gunmen.
Neither Officer Price or Goosby was injured in the exchange of gunfire.
