In the quiet of a winter evening in a park just south of Seattle, a senseless act of violence shattered the lives of a young man and his loved ones. Edwin D. Lopez, a 22-year-old White/Caucasian male, was fatally shot on February 12, 2019, in what authorities have described as a random and unprovoked attack. The tragic events unfolded at Puget Sound Park in Burien, where Lopez had been spending time with his girlfriend and sister.
The three had just finished walking their dog and had returned to their car, a simple, everyday moment that would soon turn into a nightmare.
As they sat in their vehicle, a stranger approached them. The man, later identified as 23-year-old Adolf Frand Fei, allegedly asked Lopez if he had any marijuana. When Lopez replied that he did not, Fei reportedly brandished a handgun and fired twice, striking and killing the young man. The suddenness and brutality of the act left Lopez's companions in shock as the assailant fled the scene. Emergency services were called, but tragically, Lopez succumbed to his injuries at the park. He was remembered by his family as a hardworking individual who was employed at the Seattle Great Wheel and was diligently studying to become an electrician.
The investigation into the homicide quickly led to a suspect. Patrolling officers in the area noticed a man matching the description of the shooter and took him into custody. A handgun was also recovered a short distance away. The suspect, Adolf Fei, was arrested and subsequently charged with second-degree murder, fourth-degree assault, and unlawful possession of a firearm. Authorities stated that there was no known connection between Fei and Lopez, reinforcing the belief that the fatal encounter was a random act of violence. Fei, who had a criminal record that included convictions for assault and robbery, pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him. King County prosecutors also accused Fei of attempting to interfere with the case from jail by asking his girlfriend to remove social media posts that could be used as evidence.
