Threatening Messages Revealed in a 2014 Homicide Case

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On Nov. 1, the second day of Marvin Lopez’s, homicide trial before DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe a Metropolitan Police Officer (MPD) detective testified about threatening text messages allegedly sent from the defendant to the victim.

Lopez, 43, is charged with premeditated first-degree murder and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 27-year-old Evelyn Arroyo on Dec. 24, 2014, on the 3900 block of 14th street, NW.

Prosecutors called the detective who had previously worked with Arroyo. As part of the investigation, he reviewed threatening Facebook messages allegedly exchanged between Arroyo and Lopez weeks prior to her murder. The witness translated the messages from Spanish to English.

The threats included, “You’re gonna die, I swear, you prostitute bitch”, and “Remember these four shots, I’m gonna give them to you”.

Prosecutors also called an MPD officer who responded to a domestic assault call from Arroyo in October 2014. He described seeing her visibly upset and shaking when he arrived at the scene. According to the witness, Lopez was removed from the scene but he did not elaborate.

Meanwhile, an officer, near the shooting scene chased after the suspect. She described him as a light skinned Hispanic male wearing white pants and a red shirt. However, she was only able to see his face in profile. The officer also stated that the way his hands were positioned indicated the suspect was carrying a weapon, but she did not see a weapon.

The officer said she continued to chase the individual until she lost sight of him.

The prosecution then called a witness who was near the restaurant where Arroyo worked at the time of the shooting.

He said he “heard a pop, and then a girl screaming”. Then he and his romantic partner and two others immediately dropped to the ground.

Then immediately after the shooting, as he and his partner fled, he noticed a suspicious person walking behind them.

The witness testified he said “Oh s**t, here he comes!” to his partner, in reference to the alleged shooter.

The witness stated the suspect was wearing a hooded jacket, with his face concealed and his sleeves covering his hands. He also said he saw “the nose of a gun in his hands”..

The owner of the restaurant where Arroyo worked testified he saw Arroyo banging on the door. After calling his name she lost consciousness and fell to the ground. As he got closer, he could see a large amount of blood on the ground. He then waved down a nearby police officer who chased the suspect.

Due to time constraints, the officer was unable to finish his testimony.

The trial is slated to continue Nov. 2.