LOMPOC – Police have identified the victim of a deadly shooting Saturday night as 34 year old Jose Antonio Lopez of Lompoc who leaves behind three children and a large, grieving family.
"He was a good brother, family member, everything, he just made a few mistakes in his life", says Julian Lopez of his older brother Jose Lopez who was shot and killed in an alleyway between east Airport and Prune Streets.
"We were at my nephew's party that night", Julian Lopez says about the last time he saw his brother alive, "everybody went their ways, we all went home, he went and came over here I guess, I guess he was just hanging around with the wrong crowd."
Police investigators were at the shooting scene Monday morning looking for evidence and following up on leads in the case.
"They are trying to establish what the motive was, by talking to witnesses", says Lompoc Police spokesperson Sgt. Chuck Strange, "that's why we're encouraging the public to come forward if they have any information regarding the incidents that night to contact our investigations section."
While police are not revealing much right now about a possible suspect or suspects, or a motive for the shooting, the Lopez family seems certain they know of at least one person they believe is involved.
Julian Lopez says he gave the name of the person he's calling a prime suspect to Lompoc Police.
"That's the guy he was chilling with, he was here with, it was right here in this home", Julian Lopez says pointing to a home next to where Jose Lopez was gunned down, "he was with him and the guy in the home, and I know him, he told me he went in and left the two of them alone."
Family members are preparing the funeral for Jose Lopez who leaves behind three children, a 13 year old son, five year old daughter and two year old baby boy.
"He was a good family man, just made a few mistakes in his life", Julian Lopez says about his brother, "we all do, just nothing worth losing his life over."
The Lopez family hopes to start a fundraising effort on behalf of Jose Lopez's two young children.
