Shooting Suspect Arrested After Falsifying Story To
Investigators
April 29, 2008
20-year-old
Efren Chavez-Rivera of Mesa is facing charges of aggravated
assault, misconduct involving weapons, and discharging a firearm
within city limits after a late night shooting that occurred on
April 29, 2008 at an apartment home located at 450 S. Valencia
in west Mesa.
Police received a call at 10:52 p.m. from medical staff at Mesa
General Hospital after Chavez-Rivera and the victim, 27-year-old
Antonio Quintana-Hernandez were dropped off at the emergency
room entrance. The victim had an apparent gunshot wound to his
chest and received immediate medical attention. He was then
transported to a local trauma center via air ambulance, where he
has been listed in critical condition.
Investigators were able to speak to the victim regarding the
incident. The victim told investigators that he had entered his
apartment shortly before 11:00 p.m. when he heard a loud bang
and felt a sharp pain in his chest. Realizing that he had just
been shot, the victim fled his apartment on foot and made his
way to Broadway Road to find a ride to the hospital. The victim
told investigators that he did not know who had shot him.
Officers responded to the victim's apartment at 450 S. Valencia.
A protective search of the apartment revealed that there were no
other victims inside. Officers found evidence that a shooting
had occurred within the apartment and the scene was secured
pending further investigation.
Chavez-Rivera initially told investigators that he had found the
victim along Broadway Road and that he had stopped to help him.
He stated that he helped the victim find a ride to the hospital.
After further questioning, investigators discovered that the
suspect and victim were in fact roommates. Chavez-Rivera stated
that he had found a bag containing several handguns and brought
the guns home with him. He started to play with one of the guns
in front of the victim at which point he accidentally shot
Antonio in the chest. After the shooting occurred, Chavez-Rivera
assisted the victim in locating a ride to the hospital. He told
investigators that on the way to the hospital, he threw the guns
into a dumpster at a local convenience store. Investigators were
able to locate two of the guns in the dumpster and discovered
that one of those guns had been reported stolen.
Chavez-Rivera was booked on suspicion of aggravated assault,
misconduct involving weapons, and discharging a firearm within
city limits. As of this writing his bond and release status is
unknown. The victim remains in critical condition.
May 6, 2008
The victim, 27-year-old Antonio Quintana-Hernandez, died
as a result of the gunshot wound. Investigators have now charged
the suspect, 20-year-old Efren Chavez-Rivera with Manslaughter.
Chavez-Rivera remains in police custody.