Report: Jogger Allegedly Recorded Himself Fatally Shooting Homeless Man
A Garden Grove man has been charged with manslaughter after allegedly shooting and killing a homeless man, as well as recording the encounter.
According to a press release by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, 68-year-old Craig Sumner Elliott has been charged with voluntary manslaughter, with a felony enhancement for personal use of a firearm, in connection with the fatal shooting of Antonio Garcia Avalos, 40.
The District Attorney’s Office alleges that, on the afternoon of Thursday, September 28, Elliott was jogging with his two dogs while pushing a pushcart on the 10400 block of Katella Avenue, in the city of Garden Grove, when he came across Avalos sleeping on the sidewalk. Elliott allegedly used the pushcart to nudge Avalos in an attempt to wake him up, and Avalos responded by yelling at Elliott to leave him alone.
Elliott, who has an active concealed carry permit issued by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, is accused of then producing a handgun from the pushcart. Avalos reportedly stood up and threw a shoe at Elliott. Elliott ducked out of the way, and then allegedly shot Avalos three times.
Elliott also recorded the encounter on video, the District Attorney’s Office said. Avalos later died of his injuries.
On Friday, November 17, Elliott was arrested on a warrant issued by the Garden Grove Police Department. He was later released after posting $100,000 bail.
Elliott’s arrangement is scheduled for Friday, December 15. If convicted as charged, he faces up to 21 years in prison.
