Las Vegas, Nevada – A Nevada father of seven lost his life in a tragic carjacking incident just two days after Christmas. Jerry Lopez, 39, was senselessly killed by a fleeing gunman who engaged in a deadly shootout with the police. The incident took place in the Southwest Valley area of Las Vegas on December 27th. Lopez happened to be in the vicinity where the gunman had chosen to confront law enforcement.
The carjacking occurred as Lopez was heading to work. According to his wife, Karen Lopez, he pulled over when he saw police vehicles approaching. The authorities were initially responding to reports of shots fired in the area.
The gunman, identified as Justin Davidson, 36, had a plan for his final moments and was prepared for an armed confrontation with law enforcement. Police found a diagram of a potential ambush in his possession, along with tactical equipment, prepper supplies, military manuals, and documents related to police responses to mass casualty incidents.
When the police arrived at the scene, Davidson fired at them from a hidden location. He then proceeded to switch vehicles, carjacking a truck with a family inside before stopping at a gas station and stealing another SUV. Remarkably, both sets of victims managed to escape unharmed.
In the midst of the chaos, Davidson encountered Jerry Lopez. He fired a shot at Lopez’s van, causing it to come to a halt. Davidson then approached the van with a long gun, fired another shot, and pushed Lopez out of the vehicle. Tragically, Lopez was run over by his own van as Davidson made his final escape.
During his escape, Davidson was pursued by multiple law enforcement agencies. They eventually cornered him, and he was killed in a shootout with four officers.
The Lopez family has been left devastated by the loss. A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to support them during this difficult time, with donations pouring in from around the world.
As of Monday, the campaign has raised over $385,000, a testament to the outpouring of support for the grieving family. Jerry and Karen Lopez were married for 13 years and have seven children, the oldest of which is just 11 years old.
The tragic incident has not only taken away a loving husband and father but has also left the family facing financial burdens and unanswered questions. The devastated mother shared that her children continue to reach out to their father, hoping he could read their messages of love.
This heartbreaking story serves as a reminder of the senseless violence that can occur at any moment and the devastating impact it has on the lives of innocent families.