DA finds shooting by off-duty officer justified

The shooting by an off-duty Los Angeles police officer that killed a partygoer last Halloween in Simi Valley was legally justified, according to a report issued by the Ventura County district attorney’s office last week.

Jaime Anthony Reyes was a first-year LAPD officer at the time he shot and killed Mario Lopez at a party on October 31, 2004. According to the report by Senior Deputy District Attorney Kevin Suh, Reyes acted in self defense or in the defense of others in shooting Lopez, who had fired a gun at partygoers.

At the time of the shooting, Reyes was living at the Simi Valey home where the party occurred. Lopez was invited by another guest but arrived with several who weren’t. According to eyewitnesses, Reyes asked Lopez and his friends to leave after they apparently were harassing women at the party. The group attempted o fight Reyes, who peppersprayed Lopez to calm him down.

The party soon ended, and Lopez and several others returned ooking for Reyes. Following an argument, one man with Lopez was punched, and Lopez pulled out a gun and fired two shots.

One shot hit Wilver Ortiz, the guest who invited Lopez to the party. Ortiz has since recovered rom his injuries.

Meanwhile, Reyes heard the shooting, went to his bedroom for his weapon and found Lopez pointing his gun at someone else.

Reyes fired several shots at Lopez, who fell to the ground. Lopez died of a gunshot wound to the neck.