A judge denied bond for Charles Lopez in the June 27 shootings of Natanael Fuentes Reyes, 68, and Guadalupe Flores, 74, who were on their daily walk.
HOUSTON — Relatives of two neighbors and longtime friends who were shot in the back while walking in Wildheather Park got their first look Wednesday at the man charged with killing them.
A judge denied bond for Charles Ernest Lopez, 24, who is charged with capital murder for the ambush shooting on Friday, June 27.
Natanael Fuentes Reyes, 68, and Guadalupe Flores, 74, were gunned down from behind during their morning walk at the southwest Houston park. The motive remains a mystery.
Lopez was arrested on June 30, and a gun believed to be the murder weapon was found in his car, according to Houston police.
Before ruling, the judge reviewed a video where Lopez allegedly confessed, telling detectives quote “It was me, I did it.”
Defense attorneys asked that Lopez’s statement be viewed privately.
“It’s important for us and for our client to have a fair trial, and some of the evidence that can be presented in a hearing like this can prejudice our client and the jury pool,” Mario Madrid said.
An HPD sergeant also testified that shell casings from that crime also tied Lopez’s gun to two other cases: a homeless man who was shot on Fannin, and another incident where shots were fired into the air in Brazoria County.
Prosecutors argued Lopez’s violence was escalating, calling him an ongoing danger.
The victims’ families were relieved that Lopez will remain behind bars.
“Today was the best possible outcome for the family, and this was just one long step in a long hurdle they’re going to now have to sadly endure,” Andy Kahan, a victim’s advocate with Crime Stoppers, said.
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