Victim's sister says shooting was random

The family of Osevino Anguiano Lopez is coping with his loss and cannot explain why he and his brother were targeted by a gunman Saturday night.

Lopez, 34, a Porterville resident, died from at least one gunshot wound to his chest, said his sister, Laura Hasting. She said earlier reports that he was struck in the head were inaccurate, but she was not completely certain he wasn’t struck in the head as well.

The man and a younger brother were at the Woodville Labor Camp about 10 p.m. Saturday night, said Hasting, when a car drove up along side their vehicle and shots rang out. Osevino Lopez was driving and attempted to drive away after the shooting, but only made it a short distance. Their vehicle came to a stop outside the labor camp child care center when a law enforcement officer pulled up. The younger brother only suffered a grazing wound from a bullet. She said they did not know how many shots had been fired.

Hasting said her brother told her that the officer witnessed the shooting, but went to their aide. She said the shooting occurred in the labor camp.

Hasting said the family has no idea why her brothers were shot. She said they have been told there have been other reports of violence in the labor camp lately and felt it was a random act. She said her brothers were there to visit friends and seek work for a younger brother. She said her brother told her there was no confrontation and no words had been exchanged.

“We grew up in that labor camp. We lived there for a majority of our lives,” said Hasting.

After the shooting, Lopez was flown by helicopter to a hospital, but he died en route, she said.

The man is survived by three children, four brothers, two sisters and his parents. The family is seeking help with burial expenses.

Anyone with information on the case is encouraged to contact Det. Merced Zamora or Det. Jose Torres at 735-1898, or anonymously using Tipnow by phone or text to 725-4194, or by e-mail: tcso@tipnow.com.