Man found guilty of murder in Hartford in 2021

HARTFORD, Conn. (WFSB) – More than three years after a fatal shooting in Hartford, a jury has convicted a man of murder.

Daniel Lopez, 33, of Hartford, was convicted of murder on Nov. 22, 2024, according to Hartford District Attorney Sharmese Walcott.

According to evidence presented at trial, on April 14, 2021, Hartford police were dispatched to Babcock Street in Hartford on a report of a shooting.

When they arrived, police said they found 31-year-old Heriberto Garcia of Hartford with a single gunshot wound to the upper chest.

A witness spoke to police and identified Lopez as the shooter, Walcott said. The witness stated that he looked into a car and saw the victim sitting in the passenger seat and Lopez in the back seat directly behind the victim. The witness said as Lopez held the victim in a headlock from behind, they heard a single gunshot and saw the flash of a gun. The victim fell forward in the car and the witness immediately tried to help.

Walcott said Lopez got out of the car, threatened to shoot the witness and eventually fled the scene.

The witness called 911 to report the incident.

The victim was transported by ambulance to Hartford Hospital, where he died from his injuries.

In addition to the jury’s verdict, the judge found Lopez guilty of two counts of criminal possession of a firearm/ammunition.

Sentencing was scheduled for January 31, 2025 in Hartford Superior Court.

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