Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 6, 1994 TAG: 9404060050
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: HARRISONBURG LENGTH: Medium
They brought in a translator on Monday, who spoke with Catarino Chavez in Spanish. But Chavez, 38, kept complaining about problems with immigration and told a police negotiator, "Shoot me, my friend, shoot me."
After continued warnings, Police Chief Don Harper felt he had no choice and ordered a member of Harrisonburg's SWAT team to fire.
Chavez, who was holding a shotgun, was shot between the eyes. He was dead when he arrived by helicopter at the University of Virginia medical center.
Harper said he gave the order to shoot because Chavez had threatened officers and authorities believed someone could have been trapped in the house.
"He would not put the gun down," Harper said. "We asked him on a number of occasions."
Police later learned Chavez' gun was not loaded, and a search turned up no one inside the house.
Chavez had talked about problems with getting his wife and family out of Mexico. His brother and sister told police Chavez had been depressed, but they were not sure what precipitated the standoff.
The fire was first reported by a neighbor at 8:38 a.m. Monday. About 20 police officers, including members of the police department's SWAT team, took up positions around the house.
Investigators were unsure what started the fire. The second story of the house, which was divided into two apartments, was gutted, and the first floor was damaged severely. Harper said police suspect the fire was set.
Harper said his department will investigate the standoff. Commonwealth's Attorney Bruce Morris will also look into the shooting.
The fire department had five vehicles and about 40 firefighters on the scene, said Fire Chief Larry Shifflett. Two firefighters suffered minor injuries.
by CNB