On January 21, 2024, at approximately 2:16 a.m., Greensboro police responded to a shooting in the 300 block of West Meadowview Road. Upon arrival, officers discovered 36-year-old Gabriel Salazar-Lopez in a gravel parking lot near Bar Latino, suffering from life-threatening injuries. He was promptly transported to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigations revealed that earlier that day, Gabriel and his brother, Jonathan, had encountered a group of men making gang gestures toward Jonathan at a restaurant. Later that evening, the same individuals were seen at Bar Latino, repeating the gestures. As the brothers departed the bar, shots were fired from a white work van with a ladder attached, injuring Jonathan and fatally wounding Gabriel. The van fled the scene immediately after the shooting.
On June 14, 2024, after an extensive investigation, Greensboro police arrested 32-year-old Jose Luis Rea-Lopez in connection with the murder. He was charged with first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill or inflict serious injury. Rea-Lopez is currently being held without bond.
Gabriel's passing left a profound void in the lives of his family and friends. Born on July 15, 1987, in La Noria, Guanajuato, Mexico, he was a dedicated residential flooring worker known for his infectious smile and playful nature. He is survived by his parents, Elvira Lopez Gonzalez and Jose Antonio Salazar, his children, Cristian and Victor, and his brothers, Jose A. Salazar-Lopez, Jr., Angel, Omar, and Jonathan.
A funeral mass was held on January 30, 2024, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Greensboro, followed by interment at Lake View Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requested donations be made to Sandy Hook Promise, reflecting Gabriel's commitment to preventing gun violence and promoting safer communities.
