Johnny Lopez, a 17-year-old Hispanic male from Allentown, PA, tragically lost his life on October 4, 2016. He was driving his car with his girlfriend, Madelyn Almonte, as his passenger when their vehicle was attacked by gunfire. The incident occurred outside a bar on Ninth Street near Liberty Street. Johnny was shot multiple times, and despite attempts to flee, he succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
The investigation revealed that two men approached the car, and one of them, later
identified as Marquis N. Bannister, returned with a gun and demanded Johnny roll down the window. As Johnny looked at the gunman and then at his girlfriend, he reversed the car, and shots were fired from multiple directions. One bullet passed through the passenger door and injured Madelyn in her thigh before lodging in her leg. The car eventually crashed into a row of parked cars, and Johnny was found slumped over the steering wheel.
Madelyn identified Bannister as the shooter during the investigation. Bannister, along with an unidentified accomplice, had planned to rob Johnny, who was attempting to sell marijuana to the man in the backseat of the car. Bannister fled the scene but was arrested a month later. He later pleaded guilty to third-degree murder, robbery, and aggravated assault. In December 2018, Bannister was sentenced to 30 to 70 years in state prison.
The case drew significant attention in Allentown, with friends, family, and community members mourning the loss of Johnny Lopez. The incident highlighted the dangers of street-level drug transactions and the devastating impact of gun violence on young lives. Despite the tragedy, Madelyn Almonte's bravery in identifying the shooter and providing crucial testimony helped bring justice for Johnny.
The loss of Johnny Lopez remains a poignant reminder of the need for community efforts to address violence and support youth in vulnerable situations.
