In the early hours following the conclusion of Mardi Gras festivities in Lafayette, Louisiana, a violent encounter cut short the life of 27-year-old Abilio Waldermar Bravo Lopez. Just after midnight on the morning of Wednesday, February 22, 2023, police responded to a call of a shooting in progress in the 200 block of Verdun Street. Upon their arrival, they discovered Bravo Lopez suffering from a gunshot wound.
Despite the immediate life-saving measures attempted at the scene, his injuries proved to be fatal, and he was pronounced dead.
The investigation into the shooting quickly led to the identification of a suspect. Johnnie Tolliver, a 31-year-old resident of Lafayette, was identified as the alleged perpetrator. He was subsequently arrested and taken into custody, where he was booked into the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center. The severity of the incident was reflected in the charges brought against him, which included one count of First Degree Murder for the death of Bravo Lopez.
Further investigation revealed that the violence of that night extended beyond a single victim. Authorities learned that another individual had also been shot during the same incident. Fortunately, this second victim survived the attack and was transported to a local hospital for treatment, where they were expected to make a full recovery. This additional information led to a further charge against Tolliver, who now also faces a count of Attempted First Degree Murder. Beyond the charges directly related to the shootings, Tolliver also faced additional gun and drug charges. He was held on a total bond and had a scheduled court appearance for Friday, February 24, 2023.
