Suspect arrested in fatal West Valley domestic violence shooting

PHOENIX — A suspect was arrested Thursday after a woman was killed in a domestic violence shooting in Surprise last weekend, authorities said.

Michael Lopez Jr., 51, is accused of killing 41-year-old Janice Laborin, according to the Surprise Police Department.

Officers responding to a shooting call near Dysart and Bell roads just before 11 p.m. Sunday found Laborin in a car with a gunshot wound to her head.

She was taken to a hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries.

Domestic violence shooting called ‘a horrible act’

Investigators learned that Lopez was involved in a romantic relationship with Laborin.

“It appears to be a horrible act of domestic violence and not a random act of violence,” Chris Thomas, a Surprise Police spokesman, said in a media advisory.

After being identified as the suspect, Lopez was taken into custody Thursday during a high-risk vehicle stop, police said.

He was booked into a Maricopa County jail on the following felony counts plus two probation violation warrants:

• Second-degree homicide.
• Misconduct with weapons, two counts.
• Disorderly conduct with weapons.
• Discharging a firearm in city limits.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Surprise Police Department at 623-222-4000, 623-222-TIPS (8477) or crimetips@surpriseaz.gov.

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