May 26, 2023 - Fresno County Sheriff's Office officials report that Fresno County Sheriff’s homicide detectives and the Coroner’s Office have searched numerous personal records but have been unable to find family members of 59-year-old Daimar Lopez, a homeless man in Caruthers. Locating immediate family members is a necessary process in order for our office to release the body and allow the person to have a proper burial.
Lopez died as a result of a deputy involved shooting on May 16th.
Around 5:30 p.m., Sheriff’s dispatchers received a call of a man, later identified as Daimar Lopez, brandishing a knife at the Caruthers Fairgrounds. This is where the suspect had tried contacting student athletes while they were training. Two coaches confronted the suspect and that is when he pulled out a knife.
Lopez walked away and headed toward the post office. A parent of one of the athletes then contacted him. Lopez pulled out a different, larger knife and attempted to stab the parent. The parent moved away and told dispatchers to send the deputies to a nearby strip mall at Tahoe and Marsh Avenues because that is where the suspect was headed.
Deputies contacted Lopez in front of a barbershop. He refused numerous commands from deputies to drop his weapons and surrender. Deputies fired less lethal bean bags, which struck Lopez, but they were ineffective. The suspect then charged at the deputies while holding a knife. Three deputies fired their guns, striking Lopez multiple times. They administered first aid until EMS personnel arrived. Lopez was later pronounced deceased at the scene.
If you have information that can help this investigation, please contact Detective Aurelio Flores at 559-600-8208. You may also contact Valley Crime Stoppers at 559-498-7867 or www.valleycrimestoppers.org. You will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward. Reference case # 23-5635.
Source & photo: Fresno County Sheriff's Office
