“Las Vegas Father of Seven Young Adopted Children Shot and Killed by Carjacker: Tragic Story of Jerry Lopez”

Accident – death – Obituary News : A tragic incident unfolded in Las Vegas early Wednesday morning when a father of seven young adopted children was shot and killed by a carjacker who had just murdered his own mother. The victim, Jerry Lopez, 39, was a driver for a medical company and was on his way to work when the horrifying incident occurred in the southwest valley.

According to authorities, the suspect, described as a man in his 30s, was involved in multiple carjackings after a fight with his parents, which resulted in the fatal shooting of his mother. After carjacking Lopez’s white van, the suspect was engaged in a shootout with the police and was eventually shot dead.

Lopez, a devoted family man, had recently celebrated his 13th year of being an American citizen and was also recently promoted in his job. His children, ranging in age from 3 to 11 years old, included six fostered children and one adopted child. The loss of their loving father has left the family devastated.

Lopez’s wife, Karen Lopez, expressed her profound grief when she learned about her husband’s tragic death. She revealed that Jerry had just left for work and was only a few minutes away from their home when the incident occurred. Karen recounted the heart-wrenching details, stating that the suspect approached her husband, shot him, threw him out of the vehicle, ran him over, and then drove away with their van.

In a state of shock, Karen went searching for her husband when he failed to show up at work. It was then that she was informed by the police that the van her husband was driving had been involved in a chase and shootout with the suspect. The news shattered Karen, who had fostered eight of their children through the Clark County foster care system. She described Jerry as a hands-on and loving father who would come home from work, immediately engage with their chaotic household, and play with the kids.

The devastating news of Jerry’s death left their oldest child, an 11-year-old, constantly texting his father’s phone, hoping that Jerry could still read the messages and know how much he was loved. The child bravely acknowledged that he would now have to step up and be a father figure for his younger siblings. Karen shared that Jerry had recently received a promotion, and they had planned to celebrate Christmas in a big way, spoiling their children like never before.

At a news conference, Metro Homicide Police Lt. Jason Johansson revealed that the incident was not a random act and that there was a direct family connection involved. The events unfolded in the early morning hours when officers responded to reports of an illegal shooting in the area. Gunshots were heard, and as the officers searched the vicinity, they encountered a police car that had been struck by gunfire and abandoned by the suspect. The suspect then proceeded to carjack multiple vehicles, leading to a high-speed pursuit.

During the pursuit, the suspect attempted to carjack an SUV while pointing a gun at the civilian inside. In response, officers discharged their weapons. Despite their efforts, the suspect managed to escape and fled in the stolen SUV. The pursuit continued until the suspect abandoned the SUV and carjacked another citizen in a van. Officers from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and Nevada State Police engaged in a shootout with the suspect, resulting in his demise.

Jerry Lopez tragically lost his life during this violent rampage. The incident marks the ninth officer-involved shooting of 2023 in Las Vegas. The names of the officers involved will be released after 48 hours, as per protocol. The Clark County Coroner’s Office will also release the names of the deceased once next of kin have been notified.

This devastating incident has left a family shattered and a community mourning the loss of a beloved father and husband. The senseless violence serves as a stark reminder of the fragile nature of life and the importance of cherishing every moment with loved ones..