LANCASTER – A Lancaster man was charged Friday with killing Stephen Finson, the 47-year-old man found shot to death Feb. 24 after riding out to the desert on his all-terrain vehicle.
Arturo López, 38, is charged with one count of murder with an allegation that he personally and intentionally used a rifle to commit the crime, according to Deputy District Attorney John Evans.
Additionally, Lopez faces three counts each of possession of a firearm by a felon with one prior. The prior named in the complaint is a 1997 conviction for unlawful driving or taking of a vehicle.
During the afternoon of Sunday, Feb. 23, Finson went for a ride on his all-terrain vehicle, but failed to return home. Worried family members reported Finson missing, and authorities combed the desert for the Navy veteran.
Finson was found the next morning by a volunteer assigned to the search team near 135th Street East and Avenue H. Finson was wearing his helmet, and his Honda ATC 250R was upright some 40 to 50 feet north of the dry wash.
Authorities initially believed Finson’s death was due to a crash, but when the coroner arrived, detectives learned Finson was shot.
Finson was pronounced dead at the scene at 9:20 a.m., Feb. 24, by the paramedics.
Authorities have not released a motive for the homicide.
If convicted as charged, López faces 25 years to life in state prison.
Bail has been set at more than $2 million.
UPDATED 5/5/14:
Authorities have released the booking photo for Arturo Lopez. He is scheduled to be arraigned May 8 at the Antelope Valley Courthouse.
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Previous related stories:
Suspect arrested for the murder of Stephen Finson
vanessa burks says
you all can say whatever you want about me i didnt turn art in and am not getting any money someone told that i knew about it and i was made to go to court really people ive had enought bull in my life i didnt need this [removed] and dont want anything to do with this [removed] so back off me art knows i didnt turn him in and thats all that matters
shay says
Have any of u ever thought how could art known that stephen was out riding that day no one has came up with that conclusion. So one it could have been an accident and not knowing he shot someone.
On the fence says
If Arturo Lopez is found guilty of killing Mr. Finson and then rule it an accidental shooting, it would be a tragedy.
I drive by the place where Mr. Finson was shot everyday on my way to work and there is no way anyone could have mistakenly shoot someone on a ATV without seeing it or hearing it at that location.
Whoever shot Mr. Finson that day knew he was riding there. No doubt about it.
shay says
But think about this dont u think if mr. Lopez knew mr. Finson went out
For a ride he wuld have went alone if he wanted to shoot him I mean I dnt think anyone is dumb enough to take people with thm if there going to kill someone nd
Two if ur 500ft from someone on a motorcycle dont u think you wuld hear them nd see them nd I honestly think tht mr.finson was already shot before mr. Lopez shot out .
On the fence says
I don’t think Arturo Lopez and Mr. Finson knew each other. There is no motive for the killing so far except for a bored meth addict wanting to take some pot-shots at an ATV rider in the desert.
How many different people do you think had pulled over on the side of the road and fired a gun into the desert on the same day and same location that Mr. Finson was shot?
I think the witness that was in the car with Arturo is not being completely honest. He knew Arturo shot Mr. Finson and is afraid to tell the truth that he saw Arturo shoot someone. He says he stayed in the car and did not see what Arturo was shooting at.
arturo haters club says
Anyone who knows Art knows he is a slimey piece of s@#t. He is a no good dirt bag that deserves to be where he is. He had no right to take that mans life. And leave his family devastated. Regaurdless if there was a beef before he took off for a ride. Art has no kids he leaves behind nothing and nobody. At least Casey can have peace now.
Good Hearted says
Just as much as the Finson family lost a member, how can you sit there and say that this gentleman does not leave family behind? There are always family members involved, who are we (unless members of that mans family) to judge or say what they feel/whats going on. Whoever you are, it saddens me that you hold so much hatred in your heart to not be able to look past that and realize that others are always involved. And shame on you for making false accusations on something you clearly are clueless about. There are only few people who know what really went on, two of which are Mr. Lopez and a Higher Power, and most certainly not yourself. I pray for the Finson family for strength through this loss, I pray for the Lopez family as they ALSO deal with such an unfortunate event, and I also pray for you, whoever you are, as you clearly need peace. God Bless, and good luck.
On his side says
Some people just sicken me. Whoever this person is that hates art needs help.
side lopez says
I have to say im arts daughter nd how do u know tht
He dont have kids why do u judge a book by its cover
Im sorry for your lose nd my prayers are with u but u need
Help with all this hate to one man nd his family . Hes innocent till proven guilty
jr says
This person is pissed off at the fact that Art has moved on with his life(without her) and has a woman who loves him, and 4 kids who love their step-dad. Like I have said before, people change. And as for Casey, she is not better off. Maybe they should be looking at the person who hates him so much, as to why she lied on the stand, and has stated she wishes they would hurry up and give her that money. $10000 will get her those drugs she wants.
devoted says
It’s sad how people can say all these things about someone they don’t know. And make opinions on how someone looks.
Ron says
Steve Finson was a neighbor of mine growing up .I known Steve for years and was a great guy. About 2 months before he was shot he came to my house to trim my tree. We sat and chat for about an hour. Every year he have all the Eastside school crowd have a get together at his house. We always had a great time We all still cant believe this happen to such a great guy. Now maybe we can get some answers and justice will be served soon. We pray for his family. Steve will be truly missed. WE LOVE U STEVE
Mike Dee says
From what I understand, he was the victims neighbor and there was a beef prior to the rider departing….put that in your collective pipes and smoke it!! How’s that for motive, payback of some kind perhaps??
devoted says
Arturo is not his neighbor, that is a different person.
devoted says
What happened to innocent until PROVEN guilty. How did you know that info, I have not seen that in any article.
John says
There is no such thing as “innocent until PROVEN guilty” when it applies to public opinion. Ask George Zimmerman if you don’t believe me.
devoted says
Most intelligent people wait to have all the facts, and know that the media usually isn’t the best place to get facts from.
John says
Most people, including intelligent people, don’t care about facts when it contradicts their personal opinions. Been that way since before paper was invented.
The fact is that Arturo Lopez has been arrested and charged for murder. This means that the Sheriff’s Detectives, the District Attorney’s Office and the prosecutor assigned to the case believe they have enough facts and evidence to prove Mr. Lopez guilty of the crime.
Most people have an opinion of Arturo Lopez based on this fact.
Dot says
Incredible, difficult to see this as accidental. Why didnt he report the ” Accident”
Making excuses doesnt make horrible crime right.
al bacon says
I just wonder how they know that it was intentional and not an accidental shooting since he was riding in the desert apparently. How do they know, for example, that the shooter was not aiming at an empty beer can he had thrown out?
rere says
The D.A just want to charge someone or anyone just to make the family happy the police have been harassing everyone on that side of town they need to find the real person that committed this man’s homicide
AV Folk says
The DA, according to you, is harassing everyone on that side of town? What is the DA doing, out of curiosity?
Ńi says
^^^Exactly I was was thinking the same thing. I love how people jump to conclusion.
AV Folk says
Huh?
Ron says
He was 500 feet from him shot 3 times . How do u not see a guy on a ATC. This is no accident. Shot him in the back of the head. How do u not see that?
devoted says
How did you know that info? I didn’t see that in any article.
Ron says
It was on AV channel 3 news. Its repeated every hour on the hour. It sounds like according to the news, 3 people were in a car on a road the one guy shot from 500 feet, shot 3 shots struck him once on the last shot. the police think he did just to shoot somebody. The news showed the suspects in court. Look like really nasty people.
tori says
Leaking inside info? Good way to get the case tossed.
Ron says
Not inside info. It was on the AV news channel 3.
Ron says
This guy is a scum who was just looking for somebody to kill.
blayne says
Cause theres no shooting allowed on 100th st where arturo lives and he is associated with gang violence
Billie Van Rossum says
I have known,Art and his family personally since he was about 11 years old. I feel really bad for the Finsen and Lopez families. There is no way I can understand or feel their pain. But I believe the courts are the ones to put the guilt where ever it belongs. And we should be praying for all involved.