On the evening of August 16, 2015, 26-year-old Hilvar Lopez was shot and killed outside his apartment at Prescott Place Apartments in the 1700 block of Morlye Street in Memphis, Tennessee. Lopez, a Hispanic man, was returning home with another person when two men approached intending to rob them; during that confrontation Lopez was shot in the head and died at the scene.

The two men involved were identified as 19-year-old Jamaal Austin and 22-year-old Dalvin Smith. Both were arrested and later faced trial for their roles in the robbery and killing. Jamaal Austin was convicted of first-degree murder, especially aggravated robbery, two counts of attempted aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, and employing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony. Dalvin Smith was convicted of reckless homicide, facilitation to commit aggravated robbery, attempted aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, and employing a firearm in the commission of a dangerous felony.

Lopez’s death underscored the deadly consequences of an attempted robbery that turned violent in a residential neighborhood. If anyone knew Hilvar Lopez, saw him that night, or has information about the events leading up to the ambush, please come forward with what can help fill gaps in the timeline.