On January 6, 2023, 22-year-old Elizabeth Lopez was fatally shot in a road rage incident in South Austin, Texas. The tragic event occurred around 8:40 p.m. in the 500 block of East Stassney Lane, where officers discovered Lopez unresponsive in her vehicle, having suffered a gunshot wound. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
At the time of the incident, Lopez's vehicle was occupied by four children, aged 15, 14, 3, and 1.
According to witness statements, a vehicle driven by 21-year-old Manolo Gonzalez approached Lopez's car at high speed. After a brief loss of control, Lopez's vehicle swerved into Gonzalez's lane. Gonzalez then pulled up beside Lopez's car and fired multiple shots, striking her in the head and causing her vehicle to crash into an apartment complex fence.
Following the incident, tips from Crime Stoppers and information from Lopez's family led investigators to identify Gonzalez as the suspect. He was apprehended on January 23, 2023, by the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force at a hospital in Kyle, Texas, where he was receiving treatment for an unrelated collision. During questioning, Gonzalez admitted to shooting at Lopez's vehicle, claiming he felt threatened after she allegedly cut him off multiple times and prevented him from passing. He also mentioned that the dark window tint of her vehicle contributed to his fear.
In December 2024, a Travis County jury convicted Gonzalez of murder. He was sentenced to 40 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Travis County District Attorney José Garza expressed hope that the verdict would aid in the healing process for Lopez's family.
Elizabeth Lopez's death not only devastated her family but also highlighted the dangers of road rage incidents. Her family described her as a loving daughter, sister, and mother, whose untimely passing has left a profound void in their lives.
