Galveston law enforcement grad charged in boyfriend's death

Galveston Police Department has charged Claudia Esquivel, 22, with the murder of Christopher Chapa. According to police, Chapa was dating Claudia Esquivel. Her bond is set at $150,000. Galveston Police Department has charged Claudia Esquivel, 22, with the murder of Christopher Chapa. According to police, Chapa was dating Claudia Esquivel. Her bond is set at $150,000. Photo: Galveston Police Dept. Photo: Galveston Police Dept. Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Galveston law enforcement grad charged in boyfriend's death 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

A recent Galveston law enforcement academy graduate who had aspirations of becoming a police officer now finds herself behind bars and accused of killing her boyfriend.

Claudia Kristine Esquivel, 22, of Galveston has been charged with murder in the death of 27-year-old Christopher Chapa.

About 4 a.m. Monday, Galveston police received a 911 call reporting violence involving the couple in the 1600 block of Avenue M½.

Officers arrived at the home and located Chapa's body, which appeared to have a gunshot wound to the head, a Galveston Police Department news release said.

While on the scene, officers discovered that the 911 call was made by Esquivel's mother. Esquivel was arrested at her mother's house.

Esquivel finished Galveston College's Law Enforcement Academy this spring, according to a May announcement about the latest graduates on the school's website. The accused woman appears in a class photograph.

The academy's training includes the basic peace office certification course, according to Galveston police spokesman Sgt. Joshua Schirard.

He said Texas Commission on Law Enforcement records show that Esquivel has not passed the state agency's licensing exam and is not a certified peace officer.

"She was not affiliated with any department to my knowledge," he said.

The academy's coursework includes firearms training, Schirard added.