Man who shot Merced County sergeant in 2019 found guilty of attempted murder, DA says

A Merced County jury on Tuesday found Guadalupe Lopez-Herrera, 55, guilty of 11 felony counts and enhancements including the attempted murder of two deputies, the attempted murder of the mother of his children, carjacking and stalking, according to the Merced County District Attorney’s Office.

Lopez-Herrera is scheduled to appear in Merced County Superior Court on Sept. 27 for a sentencing hearing, according to a Merced County District Attorney’s Office news release. The case against Lopez-Herrera stems from multiple events that occurred from Sept. 1, 2019, through Sept. 5, 2019.

Authorities said Lopez-Herrera assaulted his former spouse in front of their children after breaking into her Santa Nella home. On Sept. 4, 2019, deputies with the Merced County Sheriff Tactical and Reconnaissance Team, approached a Dos Palos property where Lopez-Herrera was determined to be staying. Authorities said Lopez-Herrera fired several shots at the two approaching deputies, striking Sgt. Clint Landrum in his tactical vest.

Lopez-Herrera fled following the shooting to a Fresno County farm, where authorities said he carjacked a truck from agricultural workers. After leading officers from multiple agencies on a chase, Lopez-Herrera was eventually taken into custody outside of Merced County on Sept. 5, 2019.

Merced County Superior Court Judge Carol Ash presided over the case, which was prosecuted by Chief Deputy District Attorney Katie Gates.