Anthony Joel Lopez Jr, 13, was fatally shot on June 30, 2024, inside a southwest Houston apartment on Wanda Lane while visiting his mother, Monica Medina, on a trip from Washington state. Investigators say a 15-year-old boy was handling an AR-15 rifle inside the apartment when it discharged and struck Anthony. A witness described the shooting as accidental but declined to give a formal statement. The 15-year-old initially said he had disposed of the weapon in a bayou; police later recovered the rifle in a drainage pipe at a different location and charged him with manslaughter.

Family remembered Anthony as sweet, caring, respectful and determined, with a love of family, football and music and dreams of playing in the NFL. His mother said they had been at the pool together earlier that evening. Relatives set up a GoFundMe called Help Light Anthony’s Path to Rest to help cover funeral expenses. The case has prompted questions about firearm safety and the supervision of minors; reports say the 15-year-old’s guardians were out of state at the time. If anyone witnessed the shooting or has information that could help investigators, please come forward.