On October 2, 2023, 41-year-old Ramon Lopez and 42-year-old Evangelina Ybarra were found deceased in a vehicle with multiple gunshot wounds in the parking lot of a gym located at Shaffer Road and Fortuna Avenue in Atwater, California. The discovery occurred around 10:30 p.m.
Ramon Lopez, a resident of Livingston, California, was a U.S. Air Force veteran who had recently begun working as a safety inspector for the Federal Aviation Administration. He is survived by his 3-year-old son. His brother, Rene Lopez, described him as a kind and patient individual, loved by all who knew him.
In the course of their investigation, Atwater Police identified 42-year-old Daniel Corona Garibay, also from Livingston, as the primary suspect in the double homicide. Garibay was last seen in the Atwater-Livingston area riding a red and black Honda motorcycle with license plate number 24E3412. Authorities have urged the public not to approach him if spotted, but to contact local law enforcement immediately.
Atwater Police Chief Michael Salvador indicated that the incident was not a random act of violence, suggesting a possible prior connection between the victims and the suspect. However, specific details regarding their relationship have not been publicly disclosed.
As of the latest available information, no arrests have been made in connection with the case. The Atwater Police Department continues to investigate and has appealed to the community for any information that could lead to Garibay's apprehension. A candlelight vigil was held in memory of Lopez and Ybarra, with family members and friends calling for justice and urging the suspect to surrender.
The tragic deaths of Ramon Lopez and Evangelina Ybarra have left a profound impact on their families and the local community, who continue to seek answers and justice for their untimely loss.
