More Details Released About Shooting Involving Officer Lopez

DENVER (CBS4) - A reward is being offered for information about a woman who police say was involved in Tuesday's shooting of Officer Tony Lopez Jr.

Denver police say Melinda Espinosa, 40, is considered a person of interest in the case. They say she was spotted running from the vehicle that Lopez pulled over late Tuesday morning on Federal Boulevard.

Lopez remains in the hospital following the shooting and has critical injuries.

Police have not released the name of the man police say was in the car with Espinosa. That man is still in the hospital recovering from a gunshot wound to his lower leg.

He was wounded during an exchange of gunfire with Lopez.

Denver police say at 11:19 a.m. Lopez ran license plates on the suspect vehicle. Officers so far do not know why Lopez ran the plates but what came up was an extensive criminal history on the suspect.

Among his crimes, he was wanted in Denver on a warrant for a home invasion and had some sort of involvement in a homicide case outside Denver police's jurisdiction.

Lopez pulled the suspect over and moments later the suspect exited the vehicle and began firing. Lopez fired back but was critically injured.

The suspect was shot in his leg somehow and fled. He abandoned his car about two blocks from the scene at a nearby U.S. Bank, where he pushed a women from her car in the teller line and took her vehicle. A car chase ensued and the suspect was stopped by officers through a pit maneuver at 20th and Chestnut downtown. He was then arrested and taken to the hospital.

Police are asking anyone who knows where Espinosa is to contact Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP (7867). She apparently ran away when the gunfire exchange began.

Commander Ron Saunier with the major crimes division spoke to media at a Wednesday conference. He fought back tears and told reporters even though traffic stops are routine, officers unfortunately always have to prepare for the worst.

"I don't want to say it's the nature of the beast but a traffic stop is one of those that could go from a very simple and non-confrontational deal to one like this, where you're being barraged by bullets."

As of Wednesday afternoon, Lopez was still in the hospital in critical condition and breathing with the assistance of a ventilator. Officials at Denver Health Medical Center say while he is critical condition, a ventilator is commonplace post-surgery and doctors hope to have him breathing on his own by Wednesday night.

- By Jamie Leary, CBS4 reporter

In:
• Denver Police