(WWJ) A Wayne County jury has found 44-year-old Michael Lopez guilty in the fatal shooting of a Melvindale police officer.
Lopez, of Southfield, was convicted on all 12 counts, including first degree murder, in connection with the 2024 death of Officer Mohamed Said.
According to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, Lopes was convicted of the following: Murder of a Police Officer (Life in Prison); Felon in Possession of a Firearm (5 years); Felon in Possession of Ammunition (5 years); Carrying a Concealed Weapon (5 years); Possession of a Controlled Substance-Methamphetamine/Ecstasy (10 years); Possession of a Controlled Substance under 25 grams (4 years); Carrying a Dangerous Weapon with Unlawful Intent (5 years); and five counts of Felony Firearm (2 years consecutively).
Tensions ran high during the trial, as Lopez was combative with his own defense attorney, and spoke directly to the jury, while disregarding the judge's orders on numerous occasions.
Lopez took the stand on Monday, testifying that he feared for his life, and shot Said in self-defense.
On Tuesday, jurors deliberated for a short time, before returning with their verdict.
A neighbor in Melvindale captures the suspected cop killer throw his gun in a gutter and run through the neighborhood moments after the Sunday afternoon shooting. He remains at large. There’s a $20K reward for his capture. @WWJ950 @WWJTraffic @FOX2News pic.twitter.com/cv0qnuk1iZ
— Charlie Langton (@charlielangton) July 22, 2024
Said, 26, was killed on July 21, 2024, during a struggle with Lopez, who ran away when the officer spotted him at a car wash near Oakwood and Dix roads. Bodycam footage played played in court showed Said chase Lopez over a fence and into some brush where the officer tased Lopez. There was a struggle, the two wrestled to the ground, and Lopez shot Said in the head.
After a days-long manhunt, police found and arrested Lopez in Southwest Detroit.
Officer Mohamed Said
Inkster Police Department
Dearborn Police Chief Issa Shahin described Said as "a kind soul who proudly served the residents of Melvindale."
Hamtramck City Councilman Khalil Refai said Said would be remembered as "always respectful" and "determined to make a difference."
Lopez has an extensive criminal history, having served 12 years in prison for carjacking and injuring an officer back in 2011. He was released from prison in 2022.
Prosecutors said Lopez robbed a local Auto Zone of money and knives the day before he murdered Said.
Sentencing in the murder case is set for May 18.
