Search fatalities

Victor Lopez

Age : 18

Gender : Male

Race : Latino/a/e

Date : 01/28/2026

Location : 450 East Fourth Street parking structure

City : Santa Ana

County : Orange

State : California

Agency : Santa Ana Police Department

Officer(s) :Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police during traffic stop escalation

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On the evening of 01/28/2026 at approximately 10:29 p.m., Santa Ana Police Department officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop near Santa Ana Boulevard and French Street when the vehicle driven by 18-year-old Victor Lopez of Santa Ana failed to yield and fled. The pursuit continued for several blocks and ended in a parking structure at 450 East Fourth Street. According to police, Lopez exited the vehicle and initially walked toward an officer with his hands raised, then turned back toward a loaded firearm that was on the ground. Officers ordered him not to reach for the weapon; when he did so, officers discharged their service weapons, striking Lopez in the upper torso. Lopez was pronounced dead at the scene. A loaded Walther 9 mm handgun was recovered, and police said Lopez was also in possession of suspected fentanyl. Lopez’s 19-year-old girlfriend and their toddler were in the vehicle at the time. The incident is under investigation by the Santa Ana Police Department and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office; no officer names have been publicly released. Family members have subsequently filed a legal claim alleging misuse of force.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/18-year-old-man-shot-and-killed-by-officers-in-santa-ana-parking-garage/3838485/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98JJgyTOn2Y