Cops won’t face any charges after fatal shooting when officers took warrant to the wrong house

The Southaven police officers involved in the fatal shooting of a man during a bungled arrest last year will walk free, even though his death was ruled a homicide. 

Mississippi man Ismael Lopez was killed by a shot to the back of the head on July 23 2017, his recently released autopsy report reads.

The 41-year-old was shot at four times by police when they appeared on his doorstep to execute an arrest warrant intended for the man who lived across the street. His dog was also shot and killed, WREG reported.

Both officers have been identified, with Zachary Durden listed as responsible for firing at Lopez, and Maze responsible for firing at his dog Coco.  

Ismael Lopez, 41, was shot and killed by police who were supposed to be raiding the house of a man who lived across the street last year. His death has been ruled a homicide

Police officers Samuel Maze and Zachary Durden were present at the bungled arrest, which saw Maze shoot and kill Lopez's pit bull Coco, and Durden shoot and kill Lopez. Neither officer will be charged

Police officers Samuel Maze and Zachary Durden were present at the bungled arrest, which saw Maze shoot and kill Lopez’s pit bull Coco, and Durden shoot and kill Lopez. Neither officer will be charged

A grand jury in July declined to indict Durden on murder or manslaughter charges.

District Attorney John Champion has said Lopez refused commands to put a rifle down, but the family says that’s not what happened.  

Champion said officers were executing a warrant when a pit bull dog charged at them, causing them to open fire.

He said the officers then saw a gun being pointed out of the house and started shouting ‘drop your weapon’.

When that did not happen multiple shots were fired at the doorway, fatally wounding Lopez.

He added it was ‘possible’ the officers responded to the wrong address, and confirmed that Lopez’s name was not the one listed on the warrant.

The officers were sent to arrest Samuel Pearman (right) for a domestic violence incident

Bullets were fired by Durden through Lopez’s front door (pictured). Some hit a back wall and went out the back of the house. The officers were sent to arrest Samuel Pearman (right) for a domestic violence incident

The officers were actually looking for a Samuel Pearman, who was wanted for domestic violence.

Champion told WREG he had sent a homicide charge to a grand jury, but they had declined to approve an indictment.

‘From my perspective, the case is closed now at this point,’ he said. 

Attorney for the Lopez family, Murray Wells, alleges officers shot through a closed door and hit the man in the back of the head. 

Durden quit the police force on October 9, nearly three months after the shooting, and moved into private sector work.

Maze was placed on desk duty on November 27, and returned to active duty in July after it was confirmed neither of the pair would face any charges, FOX reported.

The two officers involved in Lopez’s death have not been identified. Since the shooting, one officer has since resigned from the Southaven Police Department and the other officer is assigned to desk duty. 

Officers shot Lopez dead in the doorway of his home (pictured), saying he ignored orders to drop a gun

Court documents show police were actually supposed to be raiding the house opposite (pictured)

Officers shot Lopez dead in the doorway of his home (left), saying he ignored orders to drop a gun. His wife claims he was unarmed. Court documents show police were actually supposed to be raiding the house opposite (right)

DeSoto County Prosecutor John Champion said it is 'possible' that police targeted the wrong house (pictured, Pearman's house on left and Lopez's house on right)

DeSoto County Prosecutor John Champion said it is ‘possible’ that police targeted the wrong house (pictured, Pearman’s house on left and Lopez’s house on right)

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