Gilbert Lopez was known by his family for his infectious laughter and a personality that could make anyone smile. A 46-year-old Hispanic male, he was described as a devoted son, a loving brother, and an amazing uncle. More than anything, his heart belonged to his children and his baby granddaughter. Gilbert had been living in Carson City, Nevada, for several months and was working at a car dealership when his life was suddenly cut short.
On the evening of April 30, 2025, an argument
began between Gilbert and another man inside the Blue Bull Bar on Telegraph Street in downtown Carson City. The conflict moved outside, and around 9:45 p.m., emergency calls reported a shooting. When deputies from the Carson City Sheriff’s Office arrived, they found Gilbert in the street. He had been shot multiple times and was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators later determined Gilbert had been unarmed.
Shortly after the shooting, a man named Da’lecs Smith called the 911 dispatch center and stated he wanted to turn himself in. He went to the sheriff’s office, surrendered to authorities, and was arrested. Smith was subsequently charged with open murder for the killing of Gilbert Lopez.
The investigation continued over the following months. On June 26, 2025, authorities arrested two other individuals in connection with the homicide. Ernst Waldermar Johnson V was taken into custody by a SWAT team and charged with conspiracy to commit murder. A second person, Alayns Hotchkiss, was also arrested and charged with being an accessory to a felony and destruction of evidence.
The case against Da’lecs Smith proceeded to a jury trial, which began on October 13, 2026. Prosecutors suggested the shooting may have stemmed from an incident a few months prior in which Lopez had put Smith in a headlock. On October 23, 2026, the jury returned its verdict, finding Smith guilty of second-degree murder with the use of a deadly weapon and carrying a concealed firearm without a permit.
As of October 2026, Da’lecs Smith had been convicted for the murder of Gilbert Lopez and was awaiting a future sentencing date.
