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MAN CHARGED WITH ASSAULT ON PEACE OFFICERS FOR SHOOTING AT THEM FROM INSIDE PATROL CAR WITH UNLAWFULLY POSSESSED POLICE-ISSUED RIFLE

Posted by Fay Arfa | Feb 16, 2018 | 0 Comments

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man was charged today with assault on peace officers for shooting at them from inside a patrol car with an unlawfully possessed police-issued rifle.

Defendant Charges Maximum Sentence Court Date
Stephen Eric Matthews, 33, Garden Grove Charged today with the following counts:

Felony

  • Assault with a firearm on a peace officer
  • Shooting from a motor vehicle
  • Discharging a firearm with gross negligence
  • Unlawful possession of a loaded firearm in public
  • Vandalism over $400

Misdemeanor

  • Resisting a peace officer
10 years and four months in state prison Arraignment

Feb. 16, 2018, 10:00 a.m.

Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana

Circumstances of the Case

  • On Feb. 13, 2018, at approximately 9:30 p.m., Matthews was contacted by the Garden Grove Police Department (GGPD) and placed in the rear of a patrol car while awaiting medical aid.
  • Approximately 10 minutes later, Matthews is accused of obtaining a GGPD rifle from inside the patrol car and pointing it at officers through the closed window. The officers took cover.
  • The defendant is accused of firing a single round through the front windshield of the patrol car.
  • Matthews is further accused of using the rear end of the rifle to smash the in-car computer.
  • SWAT officers responded to the scene and the defendant surrendered hours later without further incident. No shots were fired by officers.

Prosecutor: Deputy District Attorney Jeffrey Kirk, Special Prosecutions Unit

Orange County District Attorney / Case # 18WF0400 / February 15,

About the Author

Fay Arfa

Fay Arfa has the distinction of being Certified as a Specialist in two separate areas of law – Criminal Law as well as Appellate Law – by the California State Bar, Board of Specialization. The National Board of Trial Advocacy has also awarded her a board Certification in Criminal Trial Advocacy. ...

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