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'We just keep asking why,' says family of man shot dead by Lakeland store owner

 
The family of Christobal Lopez, the man fatally shot last month by now-former Lakeland City Commissioner Michael Dunn, released this undated photo Tuesday along with a statement saying they want to see justice done. [Photo courtesy Lopez family via Morgan and Morgan]
The family of Christobal Lopez, the man fatally shot last month by now-former Lakeland City Commissioner Michael Dunn, released this undated photo Tuesday along with a statement saying they want to see justice done. [Photo courtesy Lopez family via Morgan and Morgan]
Published Nov. 13, 2018

LAKELAND — The family of a man fatally shot by former Lakeland City Commissioner Michael Dunn released a statement Tuesday describing their loved one as a quiet peaceful man.

The statement, written by Christobal Lopez's sister Veronica, also criticized a judge's decision to let Dunn travel out of town while he's facing a murder charge.

"We just keep asking, 'Why? Why did this happen over $16?'" the statement said. "It has been so hard for our family — not only the loss that's left a gaping hole in all of our hearts — but also to see our brother's killer be released from jail, granted the right to travel, pretending that he was in some way the victim, when my brother will never celebrate another Christmas with his family, will never make his nieces and nephews laugh again."

The reference to $16 is apparently the cost of the hatchet that Dunn, 47, told police Lopez was trying to steal Oct. 3 from the Army Navy Vets Surplus store that Dunn co-owns in Lakeland. Surveillance video from the store shows Lopez trying to leave, and Dunn, his gun drawn, grabbing at Lopez's shoulder from behind as Lopez makes it out the door. Lopez raises his left arm in an apparent attempt to break free, and Dunn appears to fire. Lopez falls to the pavement. He died at the scene.

Dunn was arrested 16 days later and indicted on a second-degree murder charge. He was released Oct. 25 after posting $150,000 bail. Last week, Circuit Judge Wayne Durden granted Dunn's request to travel with his wife to Savannah, Ga., to celebrate their wedding anniversary. The trip had already been planned and paid for.

The decision saddened Lopez's loved ones, said Adam Kemp, an attorney with Morgan and Morgan, the firm the family has hired to represent them.

"It sends the wrong message for not only only the family but also the victims of crimes throughout the county," Kemp said. "This person who was clearly responsible for the death of Mr. Lopez not only gets to go home at the end of the day but can go on vacation like this didn't even happen while the family is left to pick up the pieces of their lives."

Along with their grief, the family is adjusting to the media attention the case has attracted, Kemp said. They're still not ready to talk to reporters but released the statement by Veronica Lopez on Tuesday.

"I want people to understand who Christobal Lopez was," the statement said. "My brother was a quiet and peaceful man, who got along with everyone. He was the oldest of eight brothers and sisters and grew up with very little. Chris did everything he could to help our parents support us and always looked out for us. He was handy and would help us around the house whenever he could, planting flowers and tending to the chickens at my house with my children."

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Veronica Lopez said her strongest memory is spending the holidays with her brother, who "was cheerful and would joke around with everyone and play the accordion to our family."

"We lost our mother 20 years ago to breast cancer, and Chris was very close with our father," the statement said. "Chris had put his own life on hold to be there for our dad. Now to lose our sweet, caring brother to such senseless violence is heartbreaking."

The statement concludes: "I wish so much I could have my brother back, and now all we can hope for is justice. It broke our hearts to lose Chris, and we will only be at peace once justice is served. Chris, we loved you dearly, and we'll keep fighting for you."

Dunn's next appearance in court is set for Jan. 4. He is expected to argue that he is protected by Florida's stand your ground law.

Contact Tony Marrero at tmarrero@tampabay.com or (813) 494-8148. Follow @tmarrerotimes.