July 1, 2026: Man Sentenced to 24 Years to Life for Murder of 17-Year-Old Honors Student and Attempted Murder

On May 6, David Zapata pleaded no contest to one count each of murder and attempted murder

LOS ANGELES -David Anthony Zapata was sentenced to 24 years to life in state prison for the murder of 17-year-old honors student Xavier Chavarin and the attempted murder of Daniel Villalobos.

"Xavier Chavarin was a 17-year-old honors student with his entire future ahead of him. His life was stolen in a sudden, unprovoked attack that forever changed his family's lives," Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. "While nothing can undo that loss, this sentence ensures the defendant will be held accountable for his crimes. I want to thank the several Deputy District Attorneys of Central Trials 13 for their outstanding work in securing this conviction and delivering justice for Xavier, Daniel Villalobos and their families."

On May 6, Zapata (dob 11/16/90) of Alhambra pleaded no contest to one count of murder and one count of attempted murder in case BA513243. The Court sentenced him on June 30 to 24 years to life in prison, including a consecutive nine-year term for the attempted murder conviction, in Department 100 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

On March 3, 2023, Chavarin was waiting for his mother outside a restaurant in the 4500 block of Valley Boulevard in El Sereno when Zapata approached him from behind and stabbed him in the back. Chavarin died from his injuries.

After the attack, Zapata fled in an SUV. Several hours later, he stabbed Villalobos, then 33, multiple times in a parking lot in the 5400 block of Valley Boulevard. Villalobos survived the attack after being transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The case was investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department's Robbery-Homicide Division.