Murder victim Jerry Lopez, inset on the right, appears with his wife, Karen Lopez, inset on the left; the main image shows the Lopez family van stopped at an intersection in Las Vegas on Dec. 27, 2023. (GoFundMe; Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department)
A Nevada father of seven was tragically killed in a carjacking committed by a man seemingly intent on dying in a gun battle with police just two days after Christmas, authorities and family say.
Jerry Lopez, 39, was the victim of the early morning rampage that occurred in the Southwest Valley area of Las Vegas on Dec. 27.
The beloved father was senselessly killed by someone he did not know simply because he happened to be in the same area where the fleeing gunman had chosen to taunt and fatally engage with police.
“About four minutes up the street from our house, he just left for work, and he pulled over probably because he saw the police cars coming down the street,” widow Karen Lopez told local Fox affiliate KVVU.
Those lights and sirens were for Justin Davidson, 36, according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Officers had originally been sent out to the intersection of Placid Street and Maulding Avenue over reports of a rifle being fired in the area.
“Through the course of the investigation detectives learned that Davidson’s parents were awakened by the shots, and believed their son was the person shooting and headed to the wash area behind their residence,” said a lengthy police account of the deadly morning. “As his parents approached the wash area, Davidson began shooting toward them, killing his mother. His father retreated to his vehicle and Davidson shot at the fleeing truck.”
His mother already dead, Davidson, it turned out, had a plan and “prepper supplies” for the final moments of his life, police said.
“Through the course of the investigation, the LVMPD Force Investigation Team and Homicide Section located a notebook with a diagram of a potential ambush situation indicating Davidson was prepared for an armed confrontation with law enforcement,” the police department’s press release continues. “At two residences associated with Davidson, investigators found tactical equipment, prepper supplies, numerous military manuals, and documents regarding police responses to mass casualty incidents.”
When law enforcement did arrive that morning, Davidson was hiding and able to fire several rounds at police, who had to take cover from their unseen assailant. Amidst the hail of gunfire, the suspect located a still-running but still-locked patrol car, shot out the windows, gained access to the car, and then mounted his first escape.
Davidson then switched vehicles repeatedly, police said. First, he car-jacked a truck with a family inside, but he did not harm the victims. Then, he stopped at a gas station and stole a man’s SUV while the owner was pumping gas. That man somehow escaped with his life, too — even though Davidson drew his weapon and fire from an officer who witnessed the second carjacking.
By then, multiple agencies were involved in the chase. And Lopez, in his family’s 12-seat white van, had just headed to his job, happily and recently promoted, as a medical company driver.
“He was just so proud to have a business card with his name and title he was just so proud,” Karen Lopez told KVVU. “He was so happy to be able to start giving them out to his clients obviously I told him I wanted to frame one for him.”
Cops said Davidson was seen pulling up alongside Lopez and then firing a single shot at him, causing the van to stop near the corner of South Durango Drive and West Mistral Avenue.
“Davidson exited the SUV and ran to the passenger side of the van with a long gun in hand,” the police press release continued. “Moments later, Davidson fired another shot into the van. He then entered the van from the passenger side and pushed the victim out.”
More or less at the same time, the suspect ran over the victim with his own vehicle, police said, as four officers, with local and state police, fired at Davidson as he fled one last time, killing him.
Jerry Lopez was pronounced dead at the scene. The lost father and husband’s van was found stopped just a few blocks south down Durango. Police approached after it was clear there was no movement inside. Davidson was found dead inside the destroyed vehicle.
“Always made me feel loved there was never a doubt in my mind that he loved me,” Karen Lopez said. “Sometimes I would be cooking, and he would grab me and start dancing to nothing.”
A GoFundMe for the heartbroken family was started by their friends.
“The family van, a central part of their daily life, was subsequently totaled in the aftermath, riddled with bullet holes and marked by the carnage of this senseless crime,” the fundraising campaign said. “This shocking event has not only taken Jerry away from us but has also left behind a trail of sorrow, unanswered questions, and additional financial burdens for the family.”
As of Monday, nearly 5,000 donations have raised more than $380,000 for the Lopez family. Jerry and Karen Lopez were married for 13 years and their oldest child is only 11.
“Last night he kept texting my husband’s phone and he said I know daddy isn’t going to answer but I hope daddy can still read the messages and know I love him,” the grieving mother told KVVU.
Have a tip we should know? [email protected]
