On September 2, 2024, at approximately 3:15 a.m., deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department responded to reports of a shooting near the intersection of Klickitat Avenue and Quinnault Road in Apple Valley, California. Upon arrival, they discovered 39-year-old Jonathan Cuevas, a resident of Oro Grande, inside a vehicle suffering from a gunshot wound. Cuevas was immediately transported to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Investigators from the Sheriff's Specialized Investigations Division – Homicide Detail took over the case. Through their investigation, they identified 35-year-old Anthony Lopez, a resident of Apple Valley, as the primary suspect in the shooting. It was determined that Cuevas had arrived at the location to pick up a friend when Lopez allegedly approached and shot him. Following the incident, Lopez fled the scene, prompting a manhunt.
On September 6, 2024, at around 7:00 p.m., members of the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force located and apprehended Lopez in Bullhead, Arizona. He was arrested without incident and booked into the Mohave County Jail, where he awaited extradition to California to face charges related to the murder of Jonathan Cuevas. Authorities have not publicly disclosed a motive for the shooting or the nature of the relationship, if any, between Cuevas and Lopez.
In the wake of Cuevas's death, the community organized a vigil to honor his memory and call for justice. Friends and family gathered to pay their respects and support one another during this difficult time. The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department continues to encourage anyone with information about the case to come forward, emphasizing the importance of community assistance in ongoing investigations.
