Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

News

Tagger Arrested For Her Role in Murder of Man Outside Church

handcuffs-640-shutterstock.jpg
Photo by Dariush M. via Shutterstock

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

A 22-year-old woman has been arrested for her role in the shooting death of a young father and deacon who interrupted her spray painting outside his church earlier this month.

Janeth Lopez, described by authorities as a reputed gang member, has been charged with murder and two counts of attempted murder stemming from the death of Andres Ordonez, 25, and the critical wounding of another man in his 40s, according to City News Service.

The two men became involved in the incident after a parishioner of Iglesia Principe de Paz, "Prince of Peace," was checking on the food setup outside the evangelical church when he noticed a young woman spray-painting a church wall. That parishioner confronted the tagger, who pushed him to the ground. At that moment, Ordonez and the other churchgoer rushed outside to help.

Then a man emerged from a nearby vehicle and opened fire. Ordonez was pronounced dead at the scene.

Lopez is due to be arraigned today. Prosecutors will ask that her bail be set at $2.5 million. If convicted, Lopez faces up to life in prison, according to the District Attorney's Office.

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today