The man suspected of killing his wife at a Garden Grove home before fleeing to the Central Valley is believed to have been involved in an attempted murder-suicide plot hours later, Stockton police tell KTLA.
Miguel Lopez, 35, was connected to two violent crimes Thursday, the first taking place at a short-term rental property in Orange County, followed by another deadly shooting more than 350 miles north in San Joaquin County.
On Friday, authorities confirmed more details about Lopez, including that he was formerly a California Highway Patrol officer, and that the deadly shooting in Stockton is believed to have been a murder-suicide attempt.
Lopez, 35, became the subject of a complex investigation Thursday after his daughter called 911 to report that their mother needed help. Officers from the Garden Grove Police Department responded to the rental property on the 11500 block of Morgan Lane, entered the home, and discovered Lopez’s wife, 37-year-old Crystal Gonzalez, deceased.
Police removed the couple’s two children from the home and began a search for their father.
During that search, Garden Grove police were informed that Lopez’s vehicle was located in Stockton and police were investigating a shooting involving him.
The suspect in that shooting, described only as a 35-year-old Hispanic man, was found dead near a CrossFit gym in north Stockton. A second person, a 54-year-old white man, was found at the scene suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
The 54-year-old was transported to an area hospital and was most recently listed as being in critical condition.
Police tell KTLA that it appears to be an attempted murder-suicide, with the suspect shooting the victim multiple times before turning the gun on himself.
Stockton police have not directly stated that the suspect in this shooting is Miguel Lopez, but confirmed the case is directly related to the Garden Grove murder, and the suspect in both of those cases is a 35-year-old Hispanic man.
The identities of those involved have not yet been released.
Lopez, who resided in Lodi near Stockton, was previously an officer with the California Highway Patrol from 2017 to 2022, the agency confirmed.
A statement released from CHP declares the “alleged conduct of this former employee” does not reflect the professionalism of its hundreds of other dedicated employees.
“The CHP extends its thoughts and prayers to the families and friends of those involved in this tragedy,” the statement concludes.
The two children of Lopez and Gonzalez have been connected with surviving family members. Gonzalez’s exact manner of death has not yet been announced.
If you or someone you know is experiencing mental distress or suicidal thoughts, you can contact the new 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by phone call or text. You can also visit 988lifeline.org.