A 23-year-old man, Manolo Gonzalez, has been sentenced to spend 40 years in prison for fatally shooting Elizabeth Lopez, a 22-year-old woman, in an incident stemming from road rage in South Austin. According to a report from FOX 7 Austin, a Travis County jury found Gonzalez guilty of murder on December 12, with the violent act occurring on January 6, 2023.
The details of the harrowing event, obtained by KVUE, indicate that the children accompanying Lopez, ages 15, 14, 3, and 1, witnessed their vehicle to be aggressively followed and ultimately shot at, which resulted in a crash that fatally wounded Lopez. She was pronounced dead at the scene at 8:50 p.m. This tragedy unfolded after a brief loss of control by Lopez prompted Gonzalez to pull up alongside her vehicle and open fire, striking her in the head. Gonzalez had initially reported feeling threatened during the road rage encounter despite being given opportunities to disengage and turn away from Lopez's vehicle.
Investigators pieced together the chain of events through statements from two minors in Lopez's car, tips provided by Crime Stoppers, and additional information from a family member. Arrest warrants for Gonzalez were already in effect for unrelated charges, including a second-degree felony burglary and a misdemeanor bond forfeiture. The Lone Star Fugitive Task Force apprehended him on January 23, 2023, at a Kyle hospital.
In his admission to authorities, Gonzalez claimed the shooting was prompted by the fear for his own safety, as he mentioned that Lopez's vehicle had cut him off several times and did not allow him to pass. Furthermore, he said he was unable to clearly see inside Lopez's vehicle due to its dark tint. "Our office is grateful to our dedicated staff and law enforcement partners who worked tirelessly to hold the defendant accountable and seek justice for the victim’s family," Travis County District Attorney José Garza told FOX 7 Austin. "We hope this verdict continues to help the victim’s family with their healing process."
