On an August evening in 2015, the life of 26-year-old Hilvar Lopez was tragically cut short in a violent encounter outside his Memphis, Tennessee, apartment. Lopez, a Hispanic male, was returning home on August 16th at the Prescott Place Apartments in the 1700 block of Morlye Street when he was ambushed in a robbery attempt that turned fatal.
The individuals responsible for the crime were identified as 19-year-old Jamaal Austin and his 22-year-old accomplice, Dalvin Smith.
As Lopez and another person were heading to their apartment, Austin and Smith confronted them with the intention of robbing them. During the hold-up, Jamaal Austin fatally shot Hilvar Lopez in the head. The senseless act of violence sent shockwaves through the community, prompting calls for justice for the young victim.
Following an investigation by law enforcement, both Jamaal Austin and Dalvin Smith were apprehended and faced legal proceedings for their roles in the murder and robbery. In a court of law, Jamaal Austin was convicted of first-degree murder, especially aggravated robbery, two counts of attempted aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, and employing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony. His co-defendant, Dalvin Smith, was found guilty of reckless homicide, facilitation to commit aggravated robbery, attempted aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, and employing a firearm in the commission of a dangerous felony. The convictions brought a measure of closure to a case that highlighted the devastating impact of gun violence on the Memphis community.
