Dan Lopez Charged Again After Mahler Shooting
Dan Lopez has been charged with attempted murder in the shooting of land manager Alfred Mahler. Mahler was shot last week while conducting a check on a property under his care. He remains in hospital in stable condition.
Head of the National Crime Investigation Unit, ACP Hilberto Romero, confirmed the charges, adding that “a point 223 rifle was recovered, which was the weapon used.”
Romero said police have since taken Lopez to court.
Earlier this year, police charged him with the attempted murder of Police Sergeant Dalon Kelly after a confrontation on disputed property. Police alleged Lopez shot the officer during an attempted arrest. His attorney maintained the injury happened while police tried to seize Lopez’s licensed firearm.
Before that, Lopez faced accusations of confronting land managers and forestry officials over the ownership and occupation of Maya Ranch lands. The dispute has repeatedly drawn in police and ended up before the courts.
Mahler’s family rejects any link to that fight. They say he has no involvement in a land dispute and was simply hired to manage the property.