Charles Werchan

Suicide

A man had entered a business and demanded that Lopez, who worked there, leave with him. She repeatedly refused until the suspect displayed a handgun. Lopez then left with the suspect. Lopez and the suspect left in a other driving westbound on SH 71, police said. A deputy saw the other parked with the doors open. Another deputy and trainee saw the man and Lopez walking down the road. As deputies approached, the man fatally shot Lopez. Deputies opened fire on the suspect and at the same time he shot himself in the head. It was not immediately clear if any of the deputies' shots struck the suspect.