In the early hours of a Sunday morning in Montgomery, Alabama, the life of a young Hispanic man, Noel Avido Lopez, was tragically cut short. On June 9, 2024, the 22-year-old male was fatally shot while inside a car. The incident occurred just before 3:00 a.m., and when authorities arrived at the scene, Lopez was pronounced dead.
The Montgomery Police Department swiftly began an investigation into the homicide.
Their efforts led them to identify a suspect, 18-year-old Yesman Bardales-Antunez, a resident of Montgomery. The day after the shooting, law enforcement located and arrested Bardales-Antunez in Jefferson County. He was then transported to the Montgomery County detention center to face legal proceedings.
Following his arrest, Yesman Bardales-Antunez was charged with capital murder in connection with the death of Noel Avido Lopez. Under Alabama's Aniah's Law, he is being held without bail. Authorities have not yet released a motive for the shooting, nor have they indicated whether Lopez and Bardales-Antunez had any prior acquaintance. The case has been highlighted as one of several recent violent crimes committed against members of the Hispanic community in the Montgomery area.
