A Garden Grove resident, Craig Sumner Elliott, has been indicted with voluntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting of a homeless man, Antonio Garcia Avalos, who had been sleeping on a sidewalk. The confrontation occurred when Elliott experienced Avalos blocking the way. The Orange County District Attorney's Office reports that if Elliott is convicted on all charges, he faces up to 21 years in state prison.
The District Attorney reports that Elliott, 68, encountered Avalos on the sidewalk during his routine jog with dogs and pushcart on September 28. Avalos was sleeping in the way, and Elliott sought to continue, using his pushcart to rouse him. Once woken, Avalos started shouting at Elliott, demanding him to get away, which led to the escalation of the situation.
According to the District Attorney's statement, Elliott started recording the incident and pulled a handgun from the pushcart. As Avalos stood, he lobbed a shoe at Elliott. Elliott responded by shooting three times, causing Avalos's death.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer reflected on this incident, stating, "This is a tragic set of circumstances that unfolded in the worst possible way over a minor inconvenience of a blocked sidewalk, and a man is dead as a result." He emphasized the importance of law adherence and restraint, adding, "This case is a stark reminder that taking the law into your own hands is never the answer and that there are consequences for your actions."
The trial progresses, with Elliott's arraignment scheduled for December 15.
