Pubdate: Fri, 15 Sep 2000
Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune (MN)
Copyright: 2000 Star Tribune
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Author: Associated Press

CALIFORNIA POLICE KILL 11-YEAR-OLD BOY DURING DRUG RAID

MODESTO, Calif. - Authorities said a veteran SWAT team member with a
"star record" accidentally shot and killed an 11-year-old boy during a
drug raid at his parents' home.

Alberto Sepulveda, a seventh-grader, was shot in the back Wednesday
when an officer accidentally fired his shotgun, Police Chief Roy
Wasden said. Alberto died on the floor of his bedroom.

"From the preliminary investigation, all indications so far is that
the shooting was accidental," Wasden said Thursday.

David Hawn, a 21-year department veteran and a SWAT team member for
more than 18 years, was placed on paid leave pending an investigation.

The boy's father, Moises Sepulveda, was arrested and booked on charges
of methamphetamine trafficking. The boy's mother and two young
siblings were also home during the raid.

The Drug Enforcement Agency said the raid had been part of a
nine-month investigation into methamphetamine trafficking and that 14
people had been arrested Wednesday during separate raids.

Mike Van Winkle, a spokesman for the state Department of Justice,
which has 500 drug agents and investigators, said no veterans he spoke
with could recall any other accidental shooting of children during
previous drug raids.

Last year, Hawn was cleared of wrongdoing for misfiring his gun into a
suspect who had already killed himself during a SWAT raid. An internal
investigation concluded an attacking pitbull brushed the muzzle of
Hawn's gun as he and other officers were checking the suspect.

"He has a star record," his chief said.

Moises Sepulveda Jr., 14, was on the top bunk bed above his brother
when the SWAT team banged on the door. He said he does not know if his
brother was awake when he left the room.

"My father said to stay calm. Then the front door blew open and they
threw out one of those smoke bombs," the teen-ager said, pointing to
the brown scorch mark left on the living room floor by the canister

"My dad was cuffed and I was cuffed and one of them was stepping on my
neck, pointing a gun down at me and told me not to move," he said. "I
heard another blast and thought it was another smoke bomb.

"But it turns out they shot my brother."

Sepulveda Jr., echoing the feelings of neighbors, relatives and other
community members, said he didn't understand why investigators did not
try to enter peacefully.

"We would have opened the door," he said. "My dad isn't the kind of
man who would put his family in jeopardy."
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