LOGAN — A 29-year-old Logan man has been arrested for allegedly bursting into a home before being shot by the homeowner during a burglary last spring. Julio Dalton Lopez was booked Wednesday into the Cache County Jail after being on the run from law enforcement for the past five months.
According to an arrest warrant, Logan City Police officers responded to the home after multiple 911 calls about a reported gunshot early on the morning of April 22, 2023. One of the callers, the homeowner, stated three individuals entered his residence and he had shot one of them with a 9mm handgun.
When officers arrived at the house, near 280 Bridger Drive, they found Lopez lying in the driveway with a gunshot wound to the abdomen. Paramedics transported him to Logan Regional Hospital, where he made comments about knowing the homeowner and “taking care of business,” the affidavit detailed.
Logan City Police Lt. Brad Franke said investigators do not believe it was a random burglary attempt. They suspect there was an ongoing dispute between Lopez and the homeowner that triggered the incident.
Doctors later transferred Lopez by helicopter to McKay Dee Hospital in Ogden, where he was receiving further advanced treatment.
The homeowner told police how he heard knocking at his door around 2:15 a.m. When he opened the door, he was attacked and struck in the face multiple times.
The homeowner claimed that he was able to wrestle himself away from the attackers and run upstairs to retrieve the handgun. He then shot Lopez, dragged him outside, locked the door, and called 911.
Franke said after the criminal case and warrant were filed, law enforcement attempted to arrest Lopez at McKay Dee Hospital but he had fled. Police have had multiple involvements with him and were considering him a fugitive.
In May, officers arrested one of the other individuals involved, 23-year-old Juan Carlos Miranda. He later pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 30 days in jail along with 24 months probation.
Lopez has been charged with aggravated burglary, a first-degree felony. He is being held in jail on $20,000 bail, and could face up to life in prison, if convicted.
According to court records, Lopez has several convictions for possession or use of a controlled substance. The cases go back to 2013.
Individuals arrested and charged in complaints are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.