LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Two Torrance police officers were indicted for the December 2018 fatal shooting of Christopher Deandre Mitchell, according to officials.
“Special Prosecutor Lawrence Middleton was given the independence to reevaluate, investigate and determine whether to pursue criminal prosecution in this case. He thoroughly reviewed and analyzed the evidence and decided to seek a grand jury indictment. We support his decision to do so and we are pleased that the grand jury returned the indictment,” District Attorney Geo Gascón said. “While there is nothing that can be done to heal the pain for those who loved and cared for Christopher, I hope this provides them with a measure of justice.”
A grand jury returned an indictment on March 24, 2023, against Anthony Chavez and Matthew Concannon for one count each of voluntary manslaughter.
The indictment was unsealed Tuesday.
Both men pleaded not guilty Tuesday.
On December 9, 2018, the two defendants responded to a call about a stolen vehicle and they both approached a car with Mitchell, 23, inside. As the officers instructed Mitchell to exit the car, Concannon fired one shot and Chavez fired two more.
Mitchell was shot and killed.
The case was investigated by the Torrance Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office, according to officials.