In the southwest valley of Las Vegas, Nevada, a family is mourning the murder of 39-year-old Jerry Lopez, a father of seven between the ages of 3 and 11.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) confirmed that the incident, which occurred in the early hours of December 27, 2023, involved multiple carjackings and ended in a fatal officer-involved shooting.
The suspect, identified as 36-year-old Justin Davidson, reportedly began the crime spree by fatally shooting his mother near his childhood home in the southeastern part of the city.
He proceeded to steal a Metro police vehicle and led officers on a chase, eventually abandoning that vehicle and committing additional carjackings, including the victim’s van.
The series of crimes culminated in the tragic death of Jerry Lopez, who was carjacked and killed by Davidson in what was his final act.
Lopez was on his way to work around 4 a.m., just minutes away from his home, when he crossed paths with Davidson.
According to reports, Davidson shot Lopez, dragged his body out of the family van, and fled with the vehicle. The pursuit continued until the van came to a stop.
Police approached the van and found the suspect dead. It has not yet been confirmed whether or not he died as a result of being struck by police gunfire.
Karen Lopez, Lopez’s wife, shared her anguish with the media, describing how their family, most of whom were adopted through the Clark County foster care system, has been left devastated by the loss.
Lopez, remembered as the heart of his family, was a dedicated father and husband. In the wake of this tragedy, a GoFundMe page has been established to support the bereaved family, which has raised nearly $400,000 as of the latest reports.
The LVMPD, in their ongoing investigation, uncovered concerning details about Davidson’s preparation for an armed confrontation with law enforcement. They found a notebook with a diagram of a potential ambush situation, tactical equipment, prepper (survival) supplies, numerous military manuals, and documents regarding police responses to mass casualty incidents at two residences linked to the suspect.
The LVMPD’s Critical Incident Review Team is examining the incident.