Rafael Lopez was 34 when he was shot and killed at his Pittsburg, California home on December 14, 2019. The intruders pointed guns at Lopez’s stepson and other family members; Lopez, unarmed, confronted them and was shot dead while trying to protect his family. The attackers fled wearing devil masks.

Investigators concluded the break-in was likely a robbery connected to marijuana. Earlier that evening Lopez had shown a friend a bag containing 15–17 pounds of marijuana, worth about $34,000, and authorities reported Lopez was cultivating cannabis plants in his garage. In February 2020 police arrested 35-year-old Mark Anthony Thomas of Antioch; he was charged in the case and later entered a no contest plea. The identity of the second gunman remains unknown.

If anyone knew Rafael, was at the Havenwood Circle residence that night, or has information about the second assailant, please come forward.