Black Mountain Police apprehend man in shooting

Department files charges of assault with deadly weapon against Gabriel Lopez

The Valley Echo
January 4, 2023

Black Mountain Police announced the arrest of Gabriel Lopez in a Jan. 3 shooting. Photo provided by BMPD

The Black Mountain Police announced an arrest in connection with a Jan. 3 shooting on Rhododendron Avenue, the department stated in a 5:30 p.m. press release on Jan. 4.

Law enforcement officials arrested Gabriel Lopez around 2 p.m., charging him with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury.

Authorities called the incident, which resulted in the victim being transported to Mission Hospital on Tuesday with non-life threatening injuries, an isolated event that stemmed from a verbal altercation. The department issued a warrant for the suspect’s arrest shortly after identifying a black Nissan pickup truck investigators believe was involved in the shooting.

BMPD is continuing to seek video footage in the vicinity of Rhododendron Avenue, at approximately 6 p.m., when the department reports the incident occurred. Anyone with information potentially related to the ongoing investigation is asked to contact the BMPD non-emergency number, 828-419-9350, or email Detective Tim Teves at tim.teves@tobm.org.