Man Killed In Gilroy Police Shootout Had Attempted Murder Charge

GILROY, CA — A man who was fatally shot by Gilroy police Wednesday morning at the post office downtown had an arrest warrant on suspicion of attempted murder and told police he would be waiting there, the Gilroy Police Department said in a news release Friday.

Dave Lopez, a 40-year-old Gilroy resident, used two handguns to initiate a shootout with officers, according to police. Police said Lopez called 911 around 2:30 a.m., identifying himself as a subject the police were looking for and that he would be waiting at the post office. Lopez also said he was unarmed and intoxicated, and remained on the line with the dispatcher while police arrived.

Lopez immediately began shooting at the first officer who arrived on scene and struck her car, according to police. The officer returned fire and Lopez was struck at least once. During the shootout, Lopez discarded his gun and started shooting with a second handgun. Both guns were recovered at the scene.

The shootout lasted less than a minute and seven rounds were fired. No officers or bystanders were injured in the incident, according to police.

Related: Gilroy Police Fatally Shoot Man Downtown Near Post Office

Lopez was suspected of an Aug. 31 shooting on the 8500 block of Wren Avenue that seriously wounded the victim. Gilroy police obtained an arrest warrant for Lopez on Sept. 1.

The Gilroy Police Department said it plans to release audio and video recordings of the incident after reviewing the body-worn cameras, in-car cameras and 911 calls.

The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office and the California Highway Patrol also responded to the scene.

The Gilroy Police Department's Investigations Bureau and Internal Affairs and the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office are each independently and concurrently investigating the incident, and the Santa Clara County Office of the Medical Examiner-Coroner will investigate the cause of death.