Man involved in videotaped ’02 beating is identified as the Huntington Beach policeman who fired at a motorist.
By Mai Tran, Times Staff Writer
Copyright 2006 Los Angeles Times
The off-duty Huntington Beach police officer who fired three shots at a driver during a car chase last week was identified as Bijan Darvish, a former Inglewood officer involved in the videotaped 2002 beating of a teenager, authorities said Saturday.
Darvish, who has been employed by the Huntington Beach department since January, was driving his pickup near Newland Street and Warner Avenue on Oct. 1 when he pulled over to help motorcycle Officer Frank Gallant, officials said.
Gallant had been chasing a green Chevy Suburban that was being driven erratically.
Police said the driver ignored Gallant’s orders to stop and a three-minute pursuit ensued. The driver brought the SUV to a stop, shifted into reverse and tried to run down Gallant, said Police Lt. Craig Junginger.
Darvish, who just arrived at the scene, yelled at the driver to stop and then fired, Junginger said. No one was injured.
Guadalupe Martinez, 26, was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer, attempting to evade arrest and driving under the influence of alcohol.
The shooting is being investigated by the Orange County district attorney’s office.
Darvish was among several officers involved in the beating of Donovan Jackson, 16. Darvish received a 10-day suspension and was acquitted of filing a false police report about the incident.
Darvish, who is white, sued the city for racial discrimination, contending that he was punished more severely than a black officer who allegedly struck the black teen with a flashlight and was suspended for four days. A Los Angeles County Superior Court jury awarded Darvish $811,000.