Sterling man wanted in homicide: Two suspects 
in custody after deadly street fight

Candles stand in vigil Sunday next to a photo of Juan Lopez. Lopez was fatally beaten early Saturday in Sterling. Police arrested two men and are seeking a third in connection with the death. (Philip Marruffo/pmarruffo@svnmail.com)

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STERLING – Under a large blue tent and surrounded with vases of colorful flowers, candles illuminated a framed photograph of Juan Lopez.

Just behind the photo was an unmistakable dark red bloodstain.

This was the same spot where Lopez was left for dead. Lopez, 54, of Sterling, was beaten to death in the middle of the street early Saturday on West Fifth Street.

As of this morning, police still were searching for his alleged killer, Antonio Jose Reyes Gomez, 33, of Sterling.

Police have arrested Miguel Tamayo, 20, and Luis Carranza, 19, both of Sterling, in connection with the death. Both were taken to the Whiteside County Jail and charged with aggravated battery and mob action.

A judge issued a warrant for Gomez Saturday, charging him with first-degree murder. Tamayo and Carranza were in the Whiteside County Jail today in lieu of bond.

Throughout the weekend, friends, family and community members came out to pay their respects to Lopez.

“He was very jolly, and everyone liked him,” said Frank Aguilar, former president of the Latin American Social Club. “I’m pretty torn up about it. I just hope we don’t see anymore like it.”

The Rev. Jesus Dominguez, of St. Mary Catholic Church in Sterling, appeared at the weekend’s vigil to say the rosary with mourners.

Affectionately nicknamed “El Canoso,” or “gray-haired one,” Lopez was described by friends as a friendly guy who was always willing to help out those in need. He enjoyed soccer and spending time with his friends.

Pablo Vasquez, 58, of Sterling, knew Lopez for 30 years. Both came from the same hometown of Lagos de Moreno in Jalisco, Mexico.

News of the death came as a shock to Vasquez.

“He was a friendly guy, not a fighter,” he said. “I never expected that this was going to happen.”

About 2:15 a.m. Saturday, Sterling Police received a call about a disturbance involving a possible gunshot in the 400 block of West Fifth Street. 

When they arrived, they found Lopez and Rodolfo Luevano, 41, of Rock Falls, severely beaten and lying in the street. Lopez was semi-conscious at the time, said Sterling Police Lt. Doug Fargher.

Vasquez told police he was with Lopez, Luevano and a group of friends earlier that night at Willy’s Restaurant on West Fourth Street in Sterling. He said Lopez and Luevano left just before 1 a.m.

Lopez was pronounced dead about 3 a.m. Saturday at CGH Medical Center. Preliminary autopsy results Saturday determined Lopez died from “blunt force trauma” to the head and shoulders.

Luevano also was taken to the hospital for injuries to the head. He was treated and released Sunday. 

Fargher said Lopez and Luevano were at a gathering on West Fifth Street when they ran into Gomez, Tamayo, and  Carranza.

Gomez had been renting a room from Lopez for the last several months, Vasquez said. He said Sunday he thinks they may have fought over rent money.

Fargher said that the dispute was not gang- or drug-related. He declined to say what the murder weapon was, but reported it was not a knife or a gun.

Wanted

Antonio Jose Reyes Gomez, 33, of Sterling, is wanted in connection with the death of Jose Lopez, 54, of Sterling.

Gomez is a male Hispanic, 5 feet 9 inches and 180 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts should call the Sterling Police Department at 815-632-6640 or Crime Stoppers at 815-625-7867.