Current:Home > InvestA man apologizes for a fatal shooting at Breonna Taylor protest, sentenced to 30 years -ValueCore
A man apologizes for a fatal shooting at Breonna Taylor protest, sentenced to 30 years
View
Date:2025-04-16 14:03:53
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A Kentucky man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for fatally shooting a photographer at a protest over the police killing of Breonna Taylor.
Steven Lopez apologized for his actions before a judge handed down the sentence Tuesday in Jefferson Circuit Court, WDRB-TV reported. Lopez pleaded guilty last month to manslaughter in the death of Tyler Gerth, 27, and to several counts of wanton endangerment during the protest in 2020.
Witnesses said Lopez fired multiple shots into the crowd and video showed people running and hiding behind bushes, buildings and vehicles to avoid being hit by gunfire.
Lopez said he had been homeless and using drugs that “made me perceive a reality that was not real.”
“I cannot find enough words to convey how sorry I am,” he said. “I will forever remember the name Tyler Gerth and do everything I can to live up to the man he was.”
Gerth’s sisters said their hearts were broken by the death of their brother, who was kind and generous.
“I pray you are inspired by the man you stole from us and that you learn to be more like him,” Brittany Loewen said in her statement. “But, most of all, I pray that God intervenes in your life and that he redeems it. I truly believe that it’s what Tyler would have wanted.”
After the sentencing, Loewen said she is choosing to forgive Lopez because of her faith and that his apology was “meaningful.”
“I hope that it was sincere and that he is truly remorseful and I hope that he heard my words, that I want him to know who Tyler was and that hopefully Tyler can be an inspiration to him to make the most of his opportunity,” she said. “Because his life didn’t end that day.”
veryGood! (3)
Related
- EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
- Inside Clean Energy: Warren Buffett Explains the Need for a Massive Energy Makeover
- The Collapse Of Silicon Valley Bank
- Climate Migrants Lack a Clear Path to Asylum in the US
- Friday the 13th luck? 13 past Mega Millions jackpot wins in December. See top 10 lottery prizes
- In-N-Out to ban employees in 5 states from wearing masks
- Very few architects are Black. This woman is pushing to change that
- Why the Paris Climate Agreement Might be Doomed to Fail
- Retirement planning: 3 crucial moves everyone should make before 2025
- The unexpected American shopping spree seems to have cooled
Ranking
- Arkansas State Police probe death of woman found after officer
- Tom Holland Reveals the DIY Project That Helped Him Win Zendaya's Heart
- T-Mobile buys Ryan Reynolds' Mint Mobile in a $1.35 billion deal
- The U.S. takes emergency measures to protect all deposits at Silicon Valley Bank
- The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
- The Fires That Raged on This Greek Island Are Out. Now Northern Evia Faces a Long Road to Recovery
- Very few architects are Black. This woman is pushing to change that
- 16-year-old dies while operating equipment at Mississippi poultry plant
Recommendation
Kylie Jenner Shows Off Sweet Notes From Nieces Dream Kardashian & Chicago West
Illinois to become first state to end use of cash bail
A Legacy of the New Deal, Electric Cooperatives Struggle to Democratize and Make a Green Transition
It Ends With Us Author Colleen Hoover Addresses Backlash Over Blake Lively's Costumes in Film
From family road trips to travel woes: Americans are navigating skyrocketing holiday costs
Climate Migrants Lack a Clear Path to Asylum in the US
An Oil Industry Hub in Washington State Bans New Fossil Fuel Development
California court says Uber, Lyft can treat state drivers as independent contractors