San Angelo Man Arrested After Alleged Christmas Eve Assault With Shotgun

SAN ANGELO, TX — A San Angelo man was arrested Christmas Eve after authorities say he threatened his pregnant girlfriend and her mother with a shotgun during a domestic disturbance, according to court records filed in Tom Green County.

Affidavit documents state that 37-year-old Ernest Rene Lopez was arrested Dec. 24 and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly pointing a 12-gauge shotgun at the woman and later at her mother. The incident was reported at an apartment where the woman lived with her mother.

Investigators reported that the woman told police she and Lopez had been seeing each other and that she is pregnant. She said Lopez became upset earlier in the day after discovering his cellphone was not in his possession and believed it had been left with a relative.

According to the affidavit, the woman said Lopez repeatedly contacted her and later arrived at the apartment complex, where he revved his engine and sent messages demanding she come outside. She told investigators Lopez warned her not to make him come over and stated he did not care if he went to jail.

The woman told police that when she stepped outside to look for his vehicle and returned to her apartment, Lopez was standing outside with a firearm. She said he pointed the shotgun toward her lower body and then at her mother while telling her to get into his vehicle.

Investigators also interviewed the woman’s mother, who reported that Lopez threatened to kill her and his own father during the encounter and said he intended to beat the victim. 

After the incident, the victim contacted police and reported Lopez may be driving without headlights. Officers later located a Chevrolet Silverado traveling with its lights off and conducted a traffic stop. According to the complaint, Lopez was identified as the driver, and a shotgun was found inside the vehicle.

Court records state Lopez was detained, advised of his Miranda rights, and spoke with officers. He denied pointing a shotgun at the woman or her mother and said he never removed the firearm from his vehicle.

Lopez remains in the Tom Green County Detention Center with a $374 bond. He is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and defective headlights.