Full Notification

The video footage from the Officer Involved Shooting (OIS) in Gilroy on September 8, 2021, has been released and can be viewed using the following link:

https://youtu.be/pab6FgmyCE0
 
**Press release from September 10, 2021**

This incident update is to release the name of the deceased and provide additional information about the officer involved incident, to include the events leading up to the shooting.
 
On Tuesday, August 31, 2021, a shooting occurred on the 8500 block of Wren Avenue. The victim in the case was shot multiple times at close range and was transported to a local trauma center. Although the injuries were substantial, the victim survived.
 
Pursuant to an investigation conducted by the Gilroy Police Department’s Anti-Crime Team, David Lopez was positively identified as the suspect.  An arrest warrant for Lopez for attempted murder was obtained on September 1, 2021.
 
On Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at approximately 2:30 a.m., Gilroy Police Communications received a 9-1-1 call from a male who identified himself as Dave Lopez.  The caller, who has been identified as David Lopez a 40-year-old Gilroy resident, told the 9-1-1 dispatcher the police were looking for him and that he would be waiting at the Gilroy Post Office, located at 100 Fourth Street. Lopez told the dispatcher he was unarmed and intoxicated. Lopez also agreed to remain on the phone line with the dispatcher as police responded to his location.
 
Having knowledge that Lopez was wanted for attempted murder with a firearm, the first officer on scene used her vehicle’s PA (Public Address) system to instruct Lopez to lie on the ground. Lopez immediately began shooting at the officer with a handgun, striking her patrol car. The officer, fearing for her life, was able to get out of the car and return fire.  During the gunfire exchange, Lopez discarded his gun and pulled out a second handgun and attempted to use it against the officer. As Lopez tried to conceal himself behind a concrete pillar with a firearm in his hand, he sustained at least one gunshot wound and was later pronounced deceased. Both handguns were recovered at the scene. The exchange of gunfire lasted less than one minute, and a combined total of seven rounds were fired.  No Gilroy Police personnel were injured in this incident. No bystanders were involved in the incident or suffered any injuries.
 
This incident continues to be investigated by the Gilroy Police Department’s Investigations Bureau and Internal Affairs Division. The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office was notified and responded to conduct a parallel investigation. Additionally, the Santa Clara County Office of the Medical Examiner-Coroner was notified and will be responsible for conducting their own investigation to determine the cause of death.
 
Investigators are in the process of reviewing evidence, to include the body-worn cameras, in-car cameras, and 9-1-1 calls. Once all the evidence is evaluated and processed, the Gilroy Police Department will provide a detailed release of the information to include audio and video recordings of the incident.  
 
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Christopher Silva at (408) 846-0335.  Those wishing to remain anonymous may call our Tip Line at 408-846-0330.   For media inquiries please call (408) 846-0347.