Family still looking for answers in teen’s death

By Jeff O'Brien

Friday, Nov. 14, 2008 | midnight

Six months have passed since the shooting death of 17-year-old Joseph Lopez, but for the members of his family it still feels like it happened yesterday.

Elaine Lopez only has to look as far as her right forearm, which bears a tattoo in cursive of her son's name, to be reminded of that night on April 28 when he was gunned down near the intersection of Tropicana Avenue and the 215 Beltway.

"We have no closure here," Elaine Lopez said. "There are people out there who know what happened."

Initially, Metro police felt the shooting might have been gang related, but that has since been ruled out and the motive remains unclear.

The investigation is still ongoing and no suspects have been named in the case. A $5,000 reward stands for anyone with information that could lead to an arrest.

Elaine Lopez and her former partner, Pamela Leonard, adopted Joseph Lopez at the age of three weeks and described their son as a cheerful teenager who loved his life and family.

As a junior at Spring Valley High School, he played violin in the advanced orchestra class and worked in stage production for school plays.

He began playing the violin at age 12 after watching the film "Music of the Heart" starring Meryl Streep and he also enjoyed playing roller hockey.

Strong support from friends and family has helped the grieving process, Leonard said.

"That's how we keep going," she said. "There's always someone to lean on. Almost daily someone is asking me if I'm all right."

But the family is frustrated over what they feel is a lack of progress in the investigation. Homicide detectives have generated leads, but Elaine Lopez said Metro notified her of complaints it received concerning minors who have allegedly been put under too much pressure by detectives to divulge information about the case.

"I feel there are parents out there who are blocking this investigation," Elaine Lopez said. "What if they were in our shoes? There are kids who probably know who did this and why it happened, but this case is at a standstill. I hold their parents responsible for where we are at right now."

Detectives directly involved with the case could not be reached for comment, but officer Cris Johnson of Metro police said that parental consent is required before the questioning of minors can proceed.

"When parents are acting on behalf of their children it delays the investigation," Johnson said. "It makes it much tougher for us, but we are still working this case. There are people out there who have information but are reluctant to say who knows what."

Leonard is frustrated over what she feels is a lack of foresight among many teenagers today.

"They don't even think about consequences," Leonard said. "There's no fair fight anymore. You don't fight it out and then it's over and you're friends. Someone brings a gun and it's all over."

The night when she found out her son was dead is forever seared into her mind, Leonard said.

"You replay the mental video and it's always going to be there," she said. "We really miss him, especially with the holidays coming up. We struggle with it every day."

Metro is urging anyone with information on the case to call Crime Stoppers at 385-5555.

Jeff O’Brien can be reached at 990-8957 or [email protected].