FOX6 News learns man shot by U.S. Marshals will not go to prison

MILWAUKEE (WITI) — He was shot by U.S. Marshals while trying to evade law enforcement back in May of 2012, and that shooting was ruled justified. Now, FOX6 News has learned Mario Lopez will not be going to prison.

Lopez was shot at the intersection of Forest Home and Lincoln Avenues while trying to evade law enforcement.

U.S. Marshals say Lopez fled in a vehicle, and eventually got out of his car, leading law enforcement on a foot chase. They say he dropped a handgun when he tripped in the intersection of Forest Home and Lincoln.

Lopez was shot multiple times while reaching for his handgun — a .40 caliber Smith and Wesson pistol.

Kevin Carr, a U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Wisconsin says his two experienced officers did what they were trained to do.

“Nobody hopes to use deadly force and I’m sure that there are moments when they reflect on what happened and can hardly believe what did happen,” Carr said.

According to the U.S. Marshals, Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm noted in his report that life-saving measures taken by their deputies may have saved Lopez’s life.

“They applied first aid training to this suspect that we believe was critical,” Carr said.

Lopez was indicted for possession of a firearm by a felon, and was also accused of a probation violation.

Lopez was given 18 months for his gun crime, but essentially served his sentence through the time he already spent behind bars.