OGDEN, Utah — Police have identified an 18-year-old male who died after he was found shot several times in an Ogden street early Sunday morning, and Sunday night friends and family gathered at that spot for a candlelight vigil in his honor.
Ogden City police responded to a report of shots fired in the area of 7th Street and Harrison Blvd at about 1:18 a.m.
When officers arrived, they found Francisco Lopez laying near the intersection. Police say he had been shot several times.
The 18-year-old was treated on scene by Ogden City Fire Medical personnel and then transported to a nearby hospital by ambulance. He later died of his injuries.
A man who lives in the area said he heard the shooting.
“You just hear shots ring off, and it sounded like it was from my backyard,” Eddie Garcia said. “…I’d say maybe, at least six, seven [shots] maybe. So I look out the window to see what was going on, I seen a car… head north, pulled into a driveway across the street and headed back south like, really fast.”
Police said they aren’t sure at this point if the shooter was in a vehicle or on foot when Lopez was shot.
Garcia said his son is friends with the victim.
“Puts a little bit more caution there on who your kids are hanging out with, for sure,” he said. “Cause, if this had happened last weekend, you know, it could have very well been my kid because he was hanging out with him.”
Ogden Police can not confirm or deny if the shooting was gang related. Lopez's family and friends said he was not in a gang.
"There was speculation that he was in a gang," said Benjamin Lawbailey, a friend of the victim. "I never knew him to be that type, he was always super kind to all sorts of people, he didn't seem like that kind of person to challenge someone."
During the vigil, which was attended by more than 100 people, the word "Justice" was used a lot.
"He's a family person, he works, he graduated, he's done all the right things, and for him to just walk home innocently and for them to shoot him something needs to be done," said Maria Lopez, the teen's sister. "Our family is broken, our brother is gone, our family is here doing a vigil, our family shouldn't be here right now, our brother should be here."
Friends said they will miss Lopez dearly.
"He would be there for anyone and not expect anything in return; he was just a very loyal friend, he would always be there if anyone ever needed anything," said friend Dorian Echols.
Sahara Hainline, another friend, also spoke about Lopez.
"He was just an amazing guy, his smile was amazing and his hugs always made me feel great," she said.
Ogden Police Department Major Crimes Division and the Weber County Homicide Task Force is investigating the case and working to determine a possible motive in the incident.
Police are looking for a blue or dark-colored sedan in the area of shooting during the time of the incident.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Ogden City police at801-629-8221.
