http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-bates7jul07,1,6063781.story?coll=la-headlines-californiaFederal Officer Is Charged in Fatal Shooting
Lawyer for a Homeland Security official says his client's gun accidentally discharged during a fight outside his Mission Viejo home.
By H.G. Reza
Times Staff Writer
July 7, 2005
A Department of Homeland Security officer has been charged with voluntary manslaughter in the February off-duty shooting of a Lebanese American man at a Mission Viejo apartment complex that led to protests by the victim's family and friends.
The charge against Douglas William Bates, 43, was announced Wednesday when an indictment issued by the Orange County Grand Jury was unsealed. Bates surrendered to authorities and was jailed, with bail set at $100,000.
Authorities allege Bates shot Bassim Chmait, 20, of Laguna Hills in the head Feb. 5 during a fight with several men when they arrived at a party at the Madrid Apartments, where Bates lives. Initially, Orange County sheriff's investigators said Bates' handgun discharged accidentally and no charges were filed.
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