Janice Laborin dies in fatal Surprise, Arizona shooting
Fatal Surprise, Arizona shooting death of Janice Laborin – Obituary
Authorities have arrested a suspect in connection with the shooting death of 41-year-old Janice Laborin in Surprise, Arizona. The incident, which took place last weekend, has been classified as a domestic violence case.
According to the Surprise Police Department, 51-year-old Michael Lopez Jr. was taken into custody on Thursday. Officers responded to a shooting call near Dysart and Bell roads just before 11 p.m. on Sunday and discovered Laborin inside a vehicle with a gunshot wound to her head. She was transported to a hospital, where she later died from her injuries.
Investigators determined that Lopez and Laborin had been in a romantic relationship. Surprise Police spokesperson Chris Thomas described the incident as a “horrible act of domestic violence” rather than a random attack.
Following an investigation, authorities located Lopez and arrested him during a high-risk vehicle stop. He was booked into a Maricopa County jail on multiple felony charges, including second-degree homicide, two counts of weapons misconduct, disorderly conduct with a weapon, and unlawfully discharging a firearm within city limits. Additionally, Lopez had two outstanding probation violation warrants.
Police are asking anyone with information related to the case to contact the Surprise Police Department at 623-222-4000, 623-222-TIPS (8477), or via email at crimetips@surpriseaz.gov.
