Suspect Identified in Officer-Involved Shooting
July 26, 2025 – Tulare County Sheriff’s Office officials report that they are releasing the identity of the suspect involved 
in the officer-involved shooting that occurred on the evening of Thursday, July 17, 2025, in Ivanhoe.
The suspect has been identified as 32-year-old Rigoberto Lopez Jr.
Lopez was a documented member of the South Side Kings (SSK), a known Southern California criminal street gang. In 2010, Lopez was convicted of murder in the city of Woodlake and sentenced to Pleasant Valley State Prison.
In February 2024, he was paroled to the Sacramento area and, later, in December 2024, Lopez removed his state-mandated GPS ankle monitor and failed to report to his parole officer. A parole hold was issued, and the U.S. Marshals Service accepted the case for his apprehension.
In July 2025, the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office received information that Lopez had returned to Tulare County and was the primary suspect in an attempted murder that occurred on July 7 in Ivanhoe. During that incident, Lopez allegedly shot a victim in the face and attempted to shoot the victim again at close range, but his firearm had already been emptied. The victim survived, and Lopez fled the scene.
Following an extensive investigation, detectives located Lopez at an apartment complex in Ivanhoe. Announcements were made for more than an hour instructing Lopez to exit the residence. One occupant eventually came out and told detectives that Lopez had left earlier that day.
Detectives entered the apartment to search for Lopez and collect evidence. During the search, Lopez was found hiding inside a concealed void behind a built-in linen cabinet. He began firing a handgun from within that space, prompting detectives to return fire and take cover.
After the exchange, detectives re-entered and found Lopez unresponsive. Life-saving measures were administered, but Lopez was pronounced dead at the scene. Preliminary investigation indicates he died from gunshot wounds sustained during the exchange of gunfire, which he initiated.
Source & photo: Tulare County Sheriff’s Office