Jerry Lopez: 'Family man' and father of 7 shot dead and run over by carjacker who killed his own mother
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA: On Wednesday, December 27, a man in Las Vegas stole a police cruiser after shooting his mother, leading to her death. He then carjacked bystanders at gunpoint and even fired at officers, leading to a high-speed police chase that resulted in the deaths of the suspect and one bystander.
Although the bystander was not immediately identified by the police, Karen Lopez confirmed to The Associated Press that her husband, 39-year-old Gerardo “Jerry” Lopez-Martinez, was the deceased. He was the father of their seven children.
The suspect was identified as Justin Davidson, 36, and his first victim, his mother, was identified as Liza Leveille-Davidson.
What transpired during the carjacking and shooting?
Jerry Lopez was driving one of the civilian cars that were stolen at gunpoint, a white van. According to the police, they heard a gunshot and saw the suspect removing the injured occupant. The suspect shot Lopez, who had just left to go to work, and dragged his body out of the van as he was pulling over for the passing emergency vehicles.
According to Captain Joshua Martinez, police were called to a suburb just outside of Las Vegas at approximately 3.46 am on Wednesday after gunfire was heard. A police vehicle was struck in the gunfire as Las Vegas state police took cover, USA Today reported.
The suspect led police on a chase through the suburbs after stealing an empty police car. After abandoning the police vehicle, he stole a truck at gunpoint and drove off in it.
Afterward, he left the truck and stole another person's SUV. A policeman shot the suspect after the suspect pointed a gun at the occupant of the SUV. As the suspect took off in the SUV, Nevada State Troopers joined the chase, according to The Associated Press.
The suspect then abandoned the SUV and aimed his gun at the driver of a white van amid the chase. The suspect reportedly shot the driver multiple times in an attempt to evade the police.
Martinez stated that the victim, who was later declared dead, was being taken out of the van by the suspect, who then ran him over while driving off.
Officers opened fire on the suspect as he fled in the van. Shortly after, the van stopped, and when SWAT officers approached, they discovered that the suspect was dead. It was unclear whether the police's gunshots killed the suspect, per USA Today.
Jerry Lopez's wife dubbed him a 'family man'
Karen Lopez, the wife of the 39-year-old delivery driver, homeschooled their seven children, six of whom were adopted by the couple from the Clark County foster care system, while the driver worked.
He recently received a promotion and commemorated winning US citizenship after a 13-year struggle.
Speaking about her husband's demeanor and calling him a "family man", Karen described how he would "just come home (from work), throw his stuff down, not even change and just jump into the chaos of our day, roll around the floor, play with the kids."
She recalled how all the children joyfully cried out, "Daddy's home," as soon as they heard the garage door open.
Those seven children are now turning to their mom for solace. She is still coming to terms with the tragedy that killed Jerry Lopez, as per KLAS Las Vegas.
Karen went on to say, “I just want people to remember him for the loving person that he was, the family man that he was, the man of God that he was. Just the most kindness, (most gentle) soul. That’s who Jerry is. Not this victim.”
To assist Karen, family and friends have set up a GoFundMe page. The funds collected will assist the family in covering “the memorial and funeral expenses, provide for the family’s living expenses, address the children’s needs, contribute to an emergency fund, and assist with legal and professional fees.”
