On the evening of June 1, 2023, at approximately 10:14 p.m., deputies from the Apple Valley Police Department responded to Providence St. Mary Medical Center regarding a gunshot victim. The victim, identified as 25-year-old Anthony Valva from Lucerne Valley, was subsequently transferred to a nearby trauma center. Despite extensive life-saving efforts, Valva was pronounced deceased on June 2, 2023.
Investigations revealed that Valva and a female companion were stopped at a red light at the intersection of State Highway 18 and Central Road in Apple Valley. A Dodge Charger pulled up beside them, and Valva exited his vehicle, apparently intending to address the occupants about an earlier incident at a nearby liquor store. The driver of the Charger, identified as 19-year-old Apple Valley resident Coffee Brown, fired a gun at Valva, striking him once. Brown and his passenger, 19-year-old Chaaliyah Marie Griffin from Victorville, then fled the scene.
On June 7, 2023, with assistance from the Sheriff's Specialized Enforcement Division, authorities located and arrested Brown and Griffin at a residence on Central Road in Apple Valley. Brown was booked into the Central Detention Center on charges of murder, while Griffin was booked as an accessory to the crime. Both suspects remained in custody, with Brown held without bail and Griffin's bail set at $15,000. They were scheduled to appear in Victorville Superior Court on June 12, 2023.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department continues to investigate the case and has urged anyone with additional information to contact Detective Vanayes Quezada at (909) 890-4904. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through We-Tip at 800-78CRIME or via their website.
