25 year old Salvador Lopez of Orange Cove died following a confrontation with Orange Cove Police.

Around 8:45 am on Sunday, November 6th, Orange Cove Police responded to a report of a stabbing at a home on the 1600 block of Casuga Court. Officers contacted the suspect, Salvador Lopez. Lopez was non-compliant to commands to surrender and lunged toward officers. An officer deployed their Taser, but it was ineffective. Lopez continued to advance toward officers, so another officer fired a less lethal bean bag round, which struck Lopez in his torso. This allowed officers to handcuff the suspect. While in custody, Lopez became unresponsive. Officers conducted CPR on him, but he later died.

Orange Cove Police requested Fresno County Sheriff’s homicide detectives take over the investigation. Our detectives, Crime Scene Unit technicians and members of the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office responded to the scene to conduct an investigation.

The man Lopez stabbed was transported to the hospital and is expected to survive.

Lopez’ cause of death is pending the results of an autopsy and toxicology tests.

Anyone with additional information about the suspect involved in this case is asked to please contact the Sheriff’s Office at (559) 600-3111 or Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-7867, www.valleycrimestoppers.org  You will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.