Killing of Andy Lopez
The fatal killing of Andy Lopez by Sonoma County sheriff's deputy Erick Gelhaus took place on October 22, 2013, in Santa Rosa, California. 13-year-old Lopez was walking through a vacant lot and carrying an airsoft gun that was designed to resemble an AK-47 assault rifle. Gelhaus opened fire on Lopez, presumably mistaking the airsoft gun for a real firearm. The shooting prompted many protests in Santa Rosa, and throughout California.
Undated family photo of Andy Lopez | |
| Date | October 22, 2013 |
|---|---|
| Time | c. 3:14 p.m. (PST) |
| Location | Moorland Avenue and West Robles Avenue, Santa Rosa, California, United States |
| Coordinates | 38.394466°N 122.718555°W |
| Participants | Erick Gelhaus (shooter) Andy Lopez (death) |
| Deaths | Andy Lopez |
| Charges | None filed |
| Litigation | Lawsuit against Sonoma County and Gelhaus settled for $3 million |
On November 4, 2013, the Lopez family filed a federal civil rights lawsuit at the U.S. District Court.
On July 7, 2014, District Attorney Jill Ravitch announced no charges would be filed against Gelhaus. On July 1, 2015, the FBI announced no criminal charges would be filed against Gelhaus, due to lack of evidence to prove that he violated Lopez's civil rights.