Mistrial declared in shooting case

GLENDALE— A Los Angeles Superior Court judge declared a mistrial Monday against a 45-year-old California City man who allegedly fired shots at his coworkers at the Chevy Chase Country Club, officials said.

The mistrial was declared in defendant David Chavez’s case after two jurors told Judge Janice Croft that they had to leave due to family emergencies that occurred during the weekend, said Shiára Davila-Morales, a Los Angeles County district attorney spokeswoman. The trial had been nearing completion, she added.

Another juror had to step down earlier in the trial process due to an illness, she said, and an alternative had filled that vacant position

That left just one alternate juror, which was not sufficient to fill the 12-member body, Davila-Morales said.

Chavez was arrested in August on suspicion of attempted murder after he allegedly fired a .22-caliber rifle twice at two co-workers during a heated argument at the golf course. Although he missed, prosecutors said he fled the scene.

He was later found in the hour during a search of the golf course. He was eventually charged with assault with a firearm.

Chavez is next due in court May 4 for a pretrial hearing, Davila-Morales said.

FOR THE RECORD: This amends an earlier version that incorrectly stated the charge filed against Chavez.