By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The man suspected of taking his own life after a workplace shooting Monday has been identified as Antonio Lopez, 66, of Bowling Green.
Bowling Green Police Division released Lopez’s identity this morning after his family had been notified.
According to BGPD Lt. Adam Skaff, Lopez reportedly shot twice at a co-worker inside El Zarape restaurant, 1616 E. Wooster St., around 9:37 a.m. Monday. Both shots missed the co-worker, Jesus Melendez, 26, of Bowling Green.
However, Melendez was injured during a physical altercation that followed the shots being fired. Melendez, who was able to identify Lopez as the shooter, was taken to Wood County Hospital for non life threatening injuries, Skaff said.
Lopez fled the restaurant, which was closed at the time of the shooting. Police learned that the suspect lived in the Ivywood Apartments, at 1556 E. Clough St. – about a block away from El Zarape. Officers cordoned off the area around the apartments. BGSU Police assisted in blocking off Clough Street to traffic.
Using a public address system, police tried to make contact with Lopez in English and in Spanish, asking him to exit the apartment. BGPD officers switched places throughout the cold rain, holding an AR-style rifle on the apartment door.
Around 1 p.m., BGPD with the help of the Wood County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team executed a search warrant on the apartment.
Lopez was found to be deceased inside the apartment from an apparent gunshot wound. He was alone in the apartment, and it is believed the gunshot wound was self-inflicted, however, a ruling from the coroner is required before that is official, Skaff said.
Skaff explained that the police had to wait for a search warrant to enter the apartment, since there was no immediate threat from the shooter.
While waiting to enter the apartment, some residents of the apartment complex were placed in one of the SRT vehicles and shuttled to the nearby Hampton Inn, which agreed to take in the neighbors. Crim Elementary School, the closest to the scene, was not evacuated since it seemed more reasonable to keep the students in the locked school during the incident, Skaff said.
This case remains under investigation. No additional suspects are being sought.
