PHOENIX, Ariz. — A 51-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a fatal domestic violence shooting that took place in Surprise last weekend, according to authorities.
Michael Lopez Jr. is accused of shooting and killing 41-year-old Janice Laborin, the Surprise Police Departmentannounced Thursday.
Victim Found with Gunshot Wound Inside Car
Officers responded to reports of a shooting near Dysart and Bell roads just before 11 p.m. on Sunday. When they arrived, they found Laborin inside a car with a gunshot wound to her head.
She was rushed to a local hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries.
Police: Not a Random Act of Violence
Investigators determined that Lopez and Laborin were in a romantic relationship, and police described the shooting as a tragic case of domestic violence.
“It appears to be a horrible act of domestic violence and not a random act of violence,” said Chris Thomas, a spokesman for the Surprise Police Department.
High-Risk Arrest Leads to Multiple Charges
Lopez was taken into custody Thursday during a high-risk vehicle stop and booked into Maricopa County Jail. He faces multiple felony charges, including:
- Second-degree homicide
- Two counts of misconduct with weapons
- Disorderly conduct with weapons
- Discharging a firearm within city limits
- Two probation violation warrants
Police Seek Additional Information
Authorities urge anyone with details about the case to contact the Surprise Police Department at 623-222-4000, 623-222-TIPS (8477), or via email at [email protected].
