LAT: Federal Officer Is Charged in Fatal Shooting

[question everything]

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-bates7jul07,1,6063781.story?coll=la-headlines-california

Federal Officer Is Charged in Fatal Shooting

Lawyer for a Homeland Security official says his client's gun accidentally discharged during a fight outside his Mission Viejo home.
By H.G. Reza
Times Staff Writer

July 7, 2005

A Department of Homeland Security officer has been charged with voluntary manslaughter in the February off-duty shooting of a Lebanese American man at a Mission Viejo apartment complex that led to protests by the victim's family and friends.

The charge against Douglas William Bates, 43, was announced Wednesday when an indictment issued by the Orange County Grand Jury was unsealed. Bates surrendered to authorities and was jailed, with bail set at $100,000.

Authorities allege Bates shot Bassim Chmait, 20, of Laguna Hills in the head Feb. 5 during a fight with several men when they arrived at a party at the Madrid Apartments, where Bates lives. Initially, Orange County sheriff's investigators said Bates' handgun discharged accidentally and no charges were filed.

(snip)

[lateo]

1. It sounds like...

BS to me...the cop was attacked by 4 drunks...probably more to the story than what this article is saying.

[ugarte]

2. Another glorified security guard

partying with his gun on. Check his record and you'll probably find he was fired from his last law-enforcement job.