24-05-2025
$1 million bond set for man accused of fatally shooting landscaper in Gilbert
A Maricopa County Superior Court judge ruled on May 23 that the man accused in the fatal shooting of a landscaper in Gilbert may be released from jail if he posts a $1 million bond and wears an electronic monitoring device.
Wyatt Ford, 28, is charged with second-degree murder in the May 19 shooting of Manuel Vega Lopez, 51.
Lopez had been hired by Ford's landlord to trim a tree at the Gilbert residence. Although Ford and his wife were aware that a landscaper was scheduled to work in the yard, Ford mistakenly believed Lopez was responsible for previous damage to a trailer the couple had parked at the property, according to police reports.
Ford, who turns 29 on May 25, confronted Lopez, and the situation escalated into the fatal shooting, according to police reports. Police said Ford fired a 9mm Glock four times at Lopez, striking him in the throat.
Ford was heard saying he didn't mean to shoot Lopez, according to police reports.
More about the case: Gilbert man killed landscaper he had accused of vandalism, police say
In addition to the bond amount, Commissioner Elizabeth Campbell said Ford would have to abide by curfew hours set by the court's Pretrial Services Agency. Those hours had not been set in the release order Campbell issued May 23.
Ford's preliminary hearing is set for 8:30 a.m. May 29 at the court's south tower in downtown Phoenix.
In the wake of Lopez's death, his family has launched a GoFundMe campaign, as he was the sole provider for his household. His wife is living with diabetes and deteriorating vision, and their youngest son is facing health challenges following recent chemotherapy treatments.
Mourned: Landscaper's family remembers dad killed in Gilbert shooting as provider for ill wife, son
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: $1M bond set for man accused of fatally shooting landscaper in Gilbert
