2 Arrest Warrants Issued for 1998 Lubbock Homicide, 1 Suspect in Custody
Twenty-six-year-old Jessie Ordonez of Lubbock died back in 1998, and the Metropolitan Special Crimes unit has made a break in the case.
Lubbock police officers responded to a home in the 2400 block of 3rd Street on January 1st, 1998, for a report of an injured man lying in the front yard. The man, Ordonez, was pronounced dead less than an hour after being transported to the hospital.
It was determined through an investigation that Ordonez was attending a New Year's Eve party and was severely beaten in a fist fight with two other men.
Thirty-nine-year-old Lee Lopez, and his brother, 41-year-old Gabriel Lopez (pictured above), were identified as suspects, but a Grand Jury failed to indict them back in 2007.
Investigators began reviewing the case after the creation of the Metropolitan Special Crimes Unit. Detectives were able to gather new eyewitness testimony.
LPD's Tiffany Taylor said that arrest warrants for manslaughter were issued back on June 10th, 2019, for Lee Lopez and Gabriel Lopez.
Lee was taken into custody on Tuesday (June 18th) in Canyon County, Idaho, but Gabriel's location is unknown.
Gabriel stands at around 6 feet tall and weighs approximately 240 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes.
Anyone with information on Gabriel's whereabouts are asked to call Crime Line at 806-741-1000. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.