The murder suspect was arrested after hours of standoffs with Santa Ana police and members of the SWAT team.
The suspect was identified as Jerry Lopez, 48, of Santa Ana, according to the Santa Ana Police Department.
Lopez was arrested in connection with the June 14 incident in which police responded to a shooting near 1100 S. Townsend Street around 7:48am.
Officers arrived at the scene, the victim, Christopher Michael Abarka, 23, was sitting in the driver’s seat of a car, 23, suffering from a gunshot wound.
Paramedics took him to the hospital, where he later died of injuries. The shooter had fled the scene before police arrived.
After the investigation, authorities identified Lopez as the primary suspect in Abarca’s murder.
Jerry Lopez, 48, of Santa Ana was arrested in connection with a fatal shooting on July 30, 2025 (Santa Ana Police Station), Jerry Lopez, 48, of Santa Ana was arrested in connection with a fatal shooting on July 30, 2025.
On July 30, members of the SWAT team served as search warrants at Lopez’s home near McFadden Avenue and Clara Street, but he refused to comply.
After an hour of standoffs and negotiations, Lopez surrendered and was taken into custody. Multiple firearms were found inside his residence, and he was arrested and booked at Santa Ana Prison.
No further details were released including motives or how the suspect and victim were known to each other.
