Man, 24, Arrested in Girlfriend’s Death

A 24-year-old Sylmar man was arrested Sunday night after he allegedly shot his girlfriend to death and then tried to bait police into shooting him, authorities said Monday.

Lisa Lopez, 20, was pronounced dead at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds, said Los Angeles Police Det. Frank Bishop.

Jose Barrajas called 911, saying he had shot his girlfriend and asked police to shoot him, Bishop said.

Officers responding to the 10:10 p.m. call on the 12800 block of Maclay Street found Barrajas standing near the front door holding a handgun, Bishop said.

“Do your job,” Barrajas told the officers, Bishop said.

After attempts to talk with Barrajas failed, he closed the door. Officers then forced their way into the residence and subdued him by shooting him with a beanbag.

“They found him in the kitchen,” Bishop said. “He refused to comply with officers. He wouldn’t display his hands. When [officers] had a clear shot at his upper torso, they shot.”

Barrajas also tried to ingest some house-cleaning chemicals, Bishop said. He was being held at County/USC Medical Center.

Police recovered a weapon, a .45-caliber pistol, at the scene. They have not yet determined a motive in the shooting.