In the late hours of April 14, 2021, a violent encounter inside a car on Babcock Street in Hartford, Connecticut, ended the life of 31-year-old Heriberto Garcia, a Hispanic male from the area. Police responded to a 911 call around 11:00 p.m. reporting an unconscious man in a vehicle. Upon arrival, officers discovered Garcia suffering from a single gunshot wound to his upper chest.
He was rushed to Hartford Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation into Garcia's death quickly pointed to a suspect, Daniel Lopez. A witness to the tragic event provided a harrowing account to the police. The witness reported seeing Garcia in the front passenger seat of a car, with Lopez positioned in the back seat directly behind him. In a shocking turn of events, the witness saw Lopez holding Garcia in a headlock from behind. A single gunshot then rang out, accompanied by the flash of the gun. As Garcia fell forward, the witness attempted to render aid. Lopez then exited the vehicle, threatened the witness with the firearm, and fled the scene.
Based on the witness's testimony and other investigative leads, Hartford police swiftly identified and apprehended Daniel Lopez. He was subsequently charged with murder, criminal possession of a firearm, and first-degree threatening. Following his arrest, Lopez was held on a $1.5 million bond. In November 2024, a Hartford Superior Court jury found Daniel Lopez guilty of the murder of Heriberto Garcia. He was also found guilty of two counts of criminal possession of a firearm/ammunition by a judge. His sentencing was scheduled for January 31, 2025.
