H.B. teen gets 5 years for stabbing officer

A Huntington Beach teenager pleaded guilty today to stabbing a retired police officer when he was caught tagging on the side of a local business in 2007.

Luke Artinger, 18, was 16 on Feb. 28, 2007, when he was approached by retired Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff Ronald Chavers, who witnessed him writing graffiti on the side of a building at 8851 Adams Ave., authorities said.

Chavers tried to restrain Artinger by the arm until police arrived, but when the teen tried to pull away, Chavers pulled him to the ground, police said, and Artinger pulled out a knife, stabbing the retired officer four times in the stomach, back and leg.

The teen then ran into a pet store’s back room; Petco staff called police, who arrested Artinger. In the meantime, Chavers was able to walk to a nearby veterinary clinic to call an ambulance.

Artinger pleaded guilty to one felony count of battery causing serious bodily injury and two felony counts of vandalism, with a sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a deadly weapon.

Although he was only 16 a the time, Artinger has been filed as an adult, and will serve up to five years in state prison, authorities said.