Federal authorities arrested Austin Michael Enriquez, 22, on Thursday for a gun-related offense.
Enriquez admitted to shooting Chance Chavez in the 2600 block of 39th Street on Wednesday. According to court records, Enriquez claimed it was self-defense.
Police responded to a report of shots fired and found Chavez on the ground. He was later pronounced dead.
Enriquez, as of Friday, was not charged with murder or assault or anything directly related to Chavez’s death. Instead, Enriquez was charged with the use of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
Court records indicated that Enriquez could face up to life in prison if convicted.
As part of the shooting investigation, police determined that the shooting happened at the front door of Enriquez’s home. Police got a search warrant for the home and found four guns, 93 “cannabis related items” and more than $5,000 in cash.
At first, he did not want to talk to investigators, but eventually changed his mind.
A federal criminal complaint said, “Enriquez stated someone he did not know knocked on the door, and when he opened it, he saw a male wearing a bandana.”
“The male pushed his way in with a gun pointing at him,” the complaint said. “Enriquez said he laid down, and as he was dropping to the floor he pulled out his own gun and shot the person who was trying to rob him.”
The complaint said Enriquez admitted he bought the firearm from someone on the street for $150 and admitted it was probably “dirty” because it looked like someone tried to scratch the serial number off.
Enriquez made an initial appearance in federal court on Friday. Prosecutors asked that he not be allowed to post bond to get out of jail. His next court appearance is February 6.
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