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A retired sheriff’s deputy stabbed after confronting a 16-year-old boy about graffiti vandalism has been released from the hospital, authorities said.

Meanwhile, prosecutors have decided to try suspect Luke Artinger of Huntington Beach as an adult.

Ronald Chavers, 42, of Rancho Cucamonga, was released from UCI Medical Center in Orange Thursday night, hospital spokeswoman Susan Mancia said.

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Artinger appeared in Westminster court for an arraignment shortly before noon Friday, but the proceedings were postponed to March 23, according to Orange County District Attorney’s office spokeswoman Farrah Emami.

Artinger has been charged with assault with a deadly weapon and attempted murder, with a sentencing enhancement for causing great bodily injury and the personal use of a deadly weapon, Emami said. If convicted on all charges, he will face 13 years in prison.

“He was direct-filed as an adult based on the seriousness of the crime and the fact that he’s over 16,” Emami said.

Chavers, a retired Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy, saw the teen vandalizing a concrete post behind the Petco store at 8909 Adams Ave., Huntington Beach police said. When Chavers confronted the suspect and identified himself as police, the suspect stabbed Chavers and then ran into the store, where he was arrested, police said.

A 250% jump in graffiti vandalism last year led to a crackdown by city officials, including two dedicated anti-graffiti employees.

The Huntington Beach City Council is scheduled to vote Monday on an ordinance offering a reward to people who provide information leading to the arrest and conviction of graffiti vandals.

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