Grandfather Dies Defending Family: Killed in Shootout With Robbers

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Full story at http://www.apbnews.com/newscenter/breakingnews/2000/06/01/shootout0601_01.html

Excerpt:
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>LOS ANGELES (APBnews.com) -- A grandfather who had bought a gun after he was robbed two months ago died defending his family against three armed home invaders this week, killing one of them in the gunfight.

Francisco Lopez, 69, died of bullet wounds Tuesday night after an exchange of gunfire in his house. His children and grandchildren were being held at gunpoint in the garage by men who entered the property while a family gathering was going on.
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This is the worst-case scenario of a situation that we all prepare for, but hope will never happen. It's important to remember that sometimes a draw will occur, but you don't win in a draw.

At least he got one of them--that's one less criminal in the world to terrorize someone else. (Even with a one-for-one exchange, we'll win in the end, but I'd rather have better odds.)


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"There's not much comfort in the fact that crime is down 6 percent. So instead of 100 criminals targeting you, now there are only 94. Whoop-dee-doo." -- Paxton Quigley
 
Senor Lopez, my condolences to your family. They have lost a brave and noble leader in you.

Thank you for you example.
 
I'm so sorry he lost his life. But he died fighting for what he believed in.

That's better than a bullet in the back of the head while you kneel.

B
 
Victory is obtaining your objectives which may not necessarily include personal survival. If my family was threatened in such a manner and were unharmed afterwards, I would count myself the victor even if I died.

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Byron Quick
 
Would the old man have fought even knowing he'd die? I think he would have. FNG means you get incapacitated for no real gain...a dead enemy and safe(r) family members would count as a victory in my book.
 
If I must die, then I can only hope to die for such a cause and with such honor.

We mourn the loss of a good man, but celebrate if not the victory he achieved, then the cause for which he gave his life.
 
It's a shame that he died, although he should be proud of the way that he went. I'd be proud to die that way.
 
Papercut,
His children and grandchildren are still alive, so this was NOT a draw. Even if this brave man did not kill a single BG, as long as his actions prevented the harm or murder of his loved ones, he won. Few, if any of us, would not be willing to sacrifice self, for family. Though we all wish to survive, and most train diligently in order to survive, self sacrifice is still a noble deed, no matter what the Anti-Self defense folk say. I feel that Jesus said it best - "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends...." John 15:13

Take care,
David
 
Well, be prepared to hear the anti-self defense gun bigots tell us that if Senor Lopez had simply cooperated, everyone would have been OK.

Of course, we also could have been reading, ala Wendy's in NYC, of a Latino family of 15 that had been executed in LA.

We'll never know what would have happened, but I agree he was a brave man, and probably did his very best at the most difficult time in his life. He did his society a great service ... may he rest in peace.

Regards from AZ
 
Francisco Lopez, 69, gave his life in defense of his family, his community and, perhaps, myself, my family, and my community. My thanks, sir. I salute you.

The predator he killed is no longer able to harm us. Any of us.

My heart aches for your family's loss.

-William
 
Gutsy old guy - whatever he did when he went inside, he must have known that going against 2 armed (and presumably younger) and prepared bad guys, chances are he was going to have a pretty bad day.

Still a big net loss. Without knowing anything more about the gentleman I will speculate he is worth >1000 hoodlums.


Battler.
 
I'm afraid this gentleman was norm for a large number of gun owners. They buy a gun but never really learn how to use it for either recreational or tatical shooting.

It's the the situation my self-defense shooting instuctor called using the gun for an amulet--for the "power" that resides in the ownership.

We had a similar situation with a local dentist. He had done some shooting, but I doubt he had any concept of cover.
 
Francisco Lopez had heart and cajones, he may not of been a fanatical trained gunman, but he gave his all for other family lives. I only hope that I could do the same if it ever happened to my family...I'm in my late sixtys also. God bless you sir.

Jim
 
(Sorry--can't clip lines from the news story.)
The story says that Sr. Lopez was an admirer of Mexican Revolutionary hero Emiliano Zapata, and a picture of Zapata hangs in the bedroom.

Zapata is quoted as originating the oft-quoted but seldom-honored line,
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees."

Don Francisco, the Spirit of Col. Zapata must be proud. I trust that somewhere, somehow, you two are toasting one another now.

Doffing my hat in respect to yet another hero fallen in defense of home and family - - -

Johnny

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---The Second Amendment ensures the rest of the Bill of Rights---

[This message has been edited by Rocky Road (edited June 03, 2000).]
 
"All men must die. Let he who can win honor before death. The best a man can leave behind is a reputation for courageous acts." - from Beowulf
 
Its a sad thing when someone dies or is killed. But he did not die in vain. He was defending his children and his grand children and his family. He did a great thing. Its good that he got one of them, and died defending his family. What a noble man. My condolences.
 
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