[UPDATED with More Details:] Bernie Cervantes "Chino" Villegas, Toting BB Gun, Killed by Police

By Matt Coker Mon., Jan. 9 2012 at 12:20 PM

Categories: Crime-iny

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UPDATE, JAN. 9, 12:20 P.M.: Anaheim Police say Bernie Cervantes "Chino" Villegas was not walking along Ball Road toting what turned out to be a BB rifle with a wooden stock but through a West Ball Road apartment complex late Saturday night.

That produced several reports of a man with a gun at the complex and, ultimately, his being shot dead by SWAT team officers at the rear of the complex, police say.

The district attorney's office is now investigating, as is routine in police shootings.

ORIGINAL POST, JAN. 9, 10:38 A.M.: Bernie "Chino" Villegas carried a BB rifle with a wooden stock along Ball Road in Anaheim late Saturday night.

Huge mistake, acknowledged his father, Miguel Villegas.

Funeral arrangements are now being made. Because, following a report of an armed man roaming the streets, Anaheim Police responded to the 11 p.m. call with its SWAT team, which took Chino out.

Anaheim Police have revealed no further details.

The dead man's father said, through the Associated Press, that his 36-year-old son leaves behind a 14-year-old daughter and 12-year-old son.

Police shootings had Southern California morticians busy over the weekend.

In Riverside, police shot and killed David Ledezma, 52, Saturday after 4 p.m. and a domestic dispute. In El Sereno, police shot a man identified as Juan Nunez, 34. who was said to be armed with a gun he refused to drop. The father of two had also been fighting with his girlfriend. And, in San Bernardino Saturday morning, police shot and killed Lorenzo Baca after a gun battle.

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So, he was carrying a BB gun and the SWAT team was called out? And this is "Huge mistake"? I carry a pistol pretty much everywhere and no one could care less. Texas allows open carry under limited conditions, yes, REAL guns. Conceal carry is a given in this state. Thus 2 things do not happen. 1, the population at large does not call the police. 2. the police do not send SWAT even if someone does call.
Please look at the video where Bernie Villegas's body were at the back of the transport with blood and had not been covered, is that how you treat people?
That is so true!! Not to mention the three he had left behind.I read an article yesterday which stated that there was a BB gun recovered so where is it?
Bernie villegas was my best friend. Pretty sad that some of these othere who were killed by police actually were given an opportunity to surrender. However, in Bernies case, police did not give him the chance. They just opened fire on an unarmed man. Taking him from those of us who loved him. Now all the above mentioned families must live without loved ones thanks to the men and women in blue. Must be nice to make life and death decissions for God.
Isn't it true that this statement came from the police "To Protect and Serve?" does this reflect on this shooting?Also, if you look at the video after Mr Bernie Villegas you will see that he was at the back of the transport with blood all over his body and had not been covered. Is that how you treat a human being or am I over seeing things? This is US for you!!! For argument sake, let's say this had happened to an American guy in another country, do you think he will be treated the same way as Mr Bernie Villegas? Also, I have read some articles that on that day Sat 7th January there had been three people that got shoot. Was that a "Shooting Spree?" from the police!!!!
Wrong. They are trained to assess the situation not shoot then assess the situation later. Do they even know that it was him that they saw holding the BB Gun?
Yes, that is definitely incorrect thta he was stealing and it was for truancy.
It amazes me that the police refuse to comment on whether Bernie Villegas was holding the BB gun when they shot him, how difficult can it be? Was he or was he not? We are talking about someone who lost his life (shot twice in the head, several times on the chest) who "apparently" was in possesion of a BB gun big enough to be noticed by human eye, so was he or was he not holding the BB gun? Or was there a BB gun at all? I hope that SWAT did not recruit blind men/women to shoot people...or worst racist. These are simple questions that can be answered instantly, however for them to say that an investigation need to be conducted begs the question whether they even knew why they were shooting at someone. It is frightening to think that in America every time you leave your home you have to consider the fact that people who are getting paid to protect will most likely shoot you for no reason at all.
I read in one of the articles that he was arrested for stealing which is again incorrect, it was truancy. Also when Mr Villegas said "he made a mistake" he was referring to Bernie doing the laundry so late... I heard it. The interview was done on 7th January
SWATs are suppose to be trained and can at least distinguish if someone is holding an object which may be dangerous but on this occasion they cannot confirm it and just shot him; not once not twice but several times...
That is correct, he was on skype to us when he was being interviewed.
These killings are quite cynical. I received my <a href=http://www.allaboutchi.com>chi machine</a> and was anxious to use it. It works just like I have heard it is suppose to.
I know for a fact that statement "My son made a mistake" stated by Sr.Villegas means he made a mistake to the fact that he was on the wrong place/time and above all, he was only going to do his laundry!!! Then his son got shot.
The thing is as well most of the articles that I have read is about Mr Bernie Villegas is not true, you see this is where police or media can make a person look bad person and had a bad up bringing as they can write whatever they like and as public sometimes do fall for it. Also, Mr Villegas was mistaken to be Mexican but he is Filipino but as far as I am concern he was till treated as prisoner/second citizen as he had a different colour skin. So is it really safe to walk around in any parts of US when you have a different colour skin?
Mr Martinez you're view is positive and I respect that very much. Unfortunately not a lot of people has that view and obviously there is a racial issue here. How would/can others justify the fact that the SWAT have shot a guy on the head twice and where is the recovered BB gun that these police are claiming?
Uncle bernie is a nice funny guy and absolutely wouldnt hurt anyone, why did it end up like this? I wonder if they atleast warned him or told him to freeze, they treated him like if he was wanted man with shoot to kill order
Wow. And I was gonna take my son out to silverado canyon on Chapman with his red rider bb gun this weekend to teach him gun safety. Definitely don't want to get shot by a trigger happy cop. If you can't tell a bb gun from a real gun as a trained officer then you have issues. He'll with the optical scopes police carry on their rifles you can read fine print from 300 yards easy
no one was in danger, there was nothing to defend. there were no reports of violence or domestic disturbance. why would you expect a police officer to expect the worst? there are no heroes. there is a homicide on the hands of one or more police officers. there are questions. there are not ... answers
It just seems that everyone wants the cops to walk into a dangerous scenario but not have the ability to defend themselves and others. An easy way to not get shot by the cops is to not wave a gun at them... period... there is no grey area.
"Seems coppers shoot first & ask questions later with guns & tasers more often then in the days when coppers only had a six shooter and a baton." They learned the lesson of the 'Rodney King incident'. Deploy your baton correctly to cause minimal injury (King essentially walked away from the 5 minute engagement he provoked with the fuzz), and it will look really bad. You'll end up being subject to double jeopardy, and convicted at all costs. One the other hand, shoot a guy, and you are generally okay.
In El Sereno, police shot a man identified as Juan Nunez, 34. who was said to be armed with a gun he refused to drop. The father of two had also been fighting with his girlfriend. And, in San Bernardino Saturday morning, police shot and killedLorenzo Baca after a gun battle. Youre a cop and are in any one of these scenarios... What would YOU do? I know what I would do... I would be the one going home to see my wife and kids that night.
Seems coppers shoot first & ask questions later with guns & tasers more often then in the days when coppers only had a six shooter and a baton.
Just 10 days ago, he had the right to open-carry.
That only happens in Long Beach!
This sucks, but if you are carrying around a rifle around your apartment complex at night and your neighbors see you, what can they reasonably be expected to think? Sorry to hear about this, but the cops were in a tough situation. If they were told there was a dude walking around with a rifle, they had to assume the worst. I always wish they would aim for the leg or something, but in the heat of the moment, they have to do what they have to do. Sounds like the guy's dad is realistic and reasonable, too bad this had to happen, but it looks like the guy put himself in a bad situation...
At least it wasn't a garden hose nozzle this time!