The skateboarding community is mourning the loss of Veronica Lopez after a tragic shooting in Pomona, California, that claimed the lives of both Lopez and her neighbor, Richard Brady.
According to reports, the incident happened Thursday afternoon at an apartment complex on East Monterey Avenue.
Police officers responded to reports of gunfire around 3:20 p.m. When they arrived, they discovered 24 year old Veronica Lopez and Richard Brady suffering from gunshot wounds in a hallway on the fourth floor of the building.
Paramedics attempted life saving measures, but both victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators later identified Veronica's boyfriend, Robert Galtman, as the primary suspect in the case. According to police, Galtman left the apartment complex after the shooting.
A short time later, officers located a black Kia sedan connected to the suspect traveling north on Interstate 5 toward Sylmar.
What followed was a lengthy police pursuit that lasted approximately 90 minutes. The chase ended with Galtman's arrest, and he was taken into custody without further incident.
Authorities have since set his bail at $3.1 million. Court records indicate that he is scheduled to appear before a judge on Tuesday.
As details surrounding the case emerged, Veronica's family shared painful information about her relationship with Galtman. Relatives told local news outlets that Veronica had experienced domestic violence and had been encouraged by family members to leave the relationship.
According to her mother, Sheila Lopez, Veronica had been trying to separate herself from her boyfriend before the shooting occurred.
"I believe she was walking away. This is why this all happened," Sheila Lopez told KTLA.
The heartbreaking situation became even more difficult for the family because they first learned something was wrong while watching television coverage of the police chase.
Veronica's sister, Klarissa Lopez, said she immediately recognized both her sister's vehicle and her dog during the broadcast.
Realizing the pursuit might be connected to Veronica, the family contacted authorities seeking answers.
"We called Pomona police, and they confirmed it with fingerprints that it was my sister," Klarissa Lopez told ABC 7. "I know she didn't deserve to get murdered. A grown man murdered my sister."
Veronica's father also spoke publicly about the loss, describing the suspect as a coward and explaining that the family had repeatedly tried to support their daughter through difficult circumstances.
While much of the attention has focused on Veronica's death, friends and loved ones are also remembering Richard Brady, who lost his life during the incident.
Those close to Brady described him as a caring and generous person who often looked out for others.
His brother, David Brady, said Richard had become friends with Veronica and understood some of the struggles she was dealing with. The two neighbors regularly spoke and spent time together.
"They became friends. They talked and visited each other," David Brady told the Daily Bulletin. "Unfortunately, he walked into a situation out of his control."
Another friend, Genevieve L. Bobrow, remembered Brady as someone who constantly offered help to people around him. Friends said he never hesitated to provide a place to stay, lend a hand, or simply listen when someone needed support.
As both families cope with the devastating loss, fundraising efforts have been launched to assist with expenses. One fundraiser was created to help support Brady's two children, while another was organized to cover Veronica's funeral and memorial costs.
Loved ones describe Veronica as someone whose smile could brighten a room. The youngest of five sisters, she leaves behind a family struggling to understand a loss that has left an empty space in their lives.
The investigation remains ongoing as prosecutors prepare to move forward with the case against Robert Galtman.