Santa Ana— 18-year-old Victor Lopez was fatally shot by Santa Ana Police on January 28, 2026. Orange County attorney for Civil Rights

Incident Details

At around 10:30 p.m., a police officer attempted a traffic stop near East 4th and French Streets. It is currently unknown why the traffic stop was made. However, the driver, identified as Lopez, continued for a block before stopping in an apartment complex’s parking garage. Authorities say Lopez then got out of the car with his hands up but dropped a firearm. They say he did not listen to commands to not retrieve the firearm, at which point the officer fired their service weapon. Lopez was struck by gunfire and would be pronounced dead at the scene. Two additional occupants of the vehicle at the time of the incident, Lopez’ girlfriend and child, were unharmed.

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office is leading an investigation into this incident.

Legal Oversight and Use-of-Force Standards

Under California law, the use of lethal force by peace officers is governed by California Penal Code § 835a, which permits officers to fire their weapons only when they reasonably believe it is necessary to prevent imminent death or serious bodily injury to themselves or others.

Key considerations in the review will include:

  • Whether the individual’s actions posed an immediate and serious threat;
  • Whether officers attempted de-escalation or less-lethal means, and whether those options were feasible under the circumstances;
  • Whether departmental policy, training, and use-of-force protocol were followed properly.

If investigators find that the force used was unjustified or excessive under the circumstances, the shooting could give rise to civil-rights or wrongful-death claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.

Seeking Accountability for Officer-Involved Shootings

If you witnessed this incident, knew Victor Lopez, were in the area, or are seeking to understand your rights after a police use-of-force event:

1. Request Public Records

You may request:

  • The full incident report and arrest record
  • Officer statements and communications
  • Body-worn-camera or patrol-vehicle dash-cam footage

2. Preserve Any Evidence You Have

Document your exact time, location, what you saw or heard, and your vantage point. Save any photos or videos you captured — including audio — and note relevant environmental details (lighting, proximity, bystanders).

3. Consult With a Civil-Rights Attorney

If you believe that the force used was unreasonable, department protocols violated, or constitutional rights infringed, legal options may be available.

If you or a loved one has been impacted by an officer-involved shooting such as this one involving Victor Lopez, contact The Sehat Law Firm at (949) 825-5200 for a free consultation, or complete the form at the bottom of this page to discuss your case with our team.

Legal Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and should not be considered legal or medical advice, nor does it create an attorney-client relationship. Laws vary, and any referenced here may not apply to your situation. This article was created from secondary sources and may not be completely accurate. If you have any concerns, please contact us, and we’ll update or remove the post as needed.