FULLERTON : Alleged Robber Shot by Intended Victim
A 23-year-old man was shot to death Monday by a person he allegedly tried to rob, police said.
Police said Jesus Lopez, of Anaheim, was shot in the chest and leg by Elias Torres Montalvo, 57, of Fullerton, after Lopez and another man assaulted Montalvo when he arrived home shortly after 3 a.m.
Montalvo, who was not injured in the attack, told police he was accosted by two men who jumped out from behind a brick wall as he was walking to the front door of his house on the 200 block of West Valencia Drive.
Police Sgt. Danny Becerra said one man grabbed Montalvo from behind and attempted to choke him while Lopez stood in front of Montalvo with a semiautomatic handgun.
According to police, Montalvo was able to pull out his own handgun and fire twice, hitting Lopez both times.
Police said Lopez staggered toward his car but collapsed about half a block away, still holding his gun. The second suspect had not been arrested as of Monday evening.
Montalvo, who owns bars in Anaheim and Santa Ana, told police he began carrying a handgun after previous assaults. Police said those incidents were unrelated to Monday’s shooting.
Becerra said no charges have been filed against Montalvo, although the case is still being reviewed by the district attorney’s office.
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