El Centro Man Arrested After Entering County Administration Building With Firearm

EL CENTRO — A 57-year-old El Centro resident identified as Jerry Lopez was arrested Friday morning after entering the Imperial County Administration Building with a firearm, according to El Centro Police Department

At approximately 11:00 a.m. on August 15, officers from the El Centro Police Department responded to a report of a welfare check near the 2400 block of West Orange Avenue. The caller reported that a man, later identified as Jerry Lopez, appeared to be under the influence of an unknown substance and was armed with a firearm.

While officers were attempting to locate the individual, dispatch received a separate call regarding a man who had entered the Imperial County Administration Building at 940 West Main Street carrying a firearm. Authorities later confirmed both calls were related to the same suspect.

Officers, with assistance from the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office and county staff, quickly responded to the Administration Building. Lopez was detained without incident, and the firearm was secured.

According to police, Lopez displayed erratic behavior and made statements indicating he had additional firearms at his residence. Based on the circumstances and in the interest of public safety, detectives obtained a search warrant. Upon search of the residence law-enforcement discovered multiple additional firearms and ammunition

Lopez was booked into the Imperial County Jail on various charges.

At this stage of the investigation, authorities said there is no indication that Lopez was targeting any specific person or making a direct threat. The El Centro Police Department’s Investigations Bureau continues to investigate the incident.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective D. Crankshaw at (760) 352-2111, visit the El Centro Police Department in person, or reach out through the department’s official social media platforms.