WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah, Oct. 5, 2021 (Gephardt Daily) — The West Valley City Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating Noel Munoz Lopez, who has been named a person of interested in a homicide that occurred Monday near 3800 South and 4200 West.
Lopez, 34, a Kearns resident, was in the area at the time of the shooting, and has an association with the people who own the house in front of which the body of 82-year-old victim Farrell Bartschi was found.
Bartschi lived nearby, but not at the house he died in front of.
Police were alerted to gunshots at 7:10 a.m. Monday, a WVCPD statement says. The caller also reported seeing a man lying on the ground.
“Police officers arrived and found the victim unresponsive,” the statement says. “Witnesses, police officers and West Valley City Fire Department medics all attempted lifesaving efforts, however the victim was found deceased at the scene.”
West Valley City police are at the scene of a shooting homicide on Monday, Oct. 4, 2021. Interviews and evidence suggested Lopez had been in the area, the WVCPD statement says.
“It is unknown at this time what occurred leading up to the shooting,” the police statement says. “We can, however, report the victim in this case has no known association with the people who live inside the home, nor any association with Mr. Lopez.”
Lopez stands 5 feet 9 inches and weights 210 pounds, the police statement says. He is bald with a black beard and moustache.
In May 2007, Lopez was convicted of attempted murder and three counts of aggravated assault. He was released from prison in March of this year and granted parole.
“We ask anyone who may have information regarding Mr. Lopez’s whereabouts to contact the West Valley City Police Department at 801-840-4000. Tips can be made anonymously.”
