A workplace argument in Medley, Florida, ended in a deadly shooting after an 81-year-old employee allegedly opened fire on his boss following a confrontation about sleeping on the job. When police arrived, the suspect was reportedly outside the business, riding a tricycle around the parking lot.
Jose Lopez has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of 61-year-old Delio Trasobares, who owned Metro Express, the business where the shooting allegedly occurred.
The incident took place on the morning of October 14. Investigators say a dispute over workplace behavior escalated into violence, leaving Trasobares critically wounded and prompting an emergency response.
According to the arrest affidavit, Lopez made a statement to officers shortly after they approached him that appeared to acknowledge his involvement in the shooting. He was subsequently taken into custody as investigators began piecing together what had happened inside the repair shop.
Dispute Over Sleeping at Work
Employees told investigators that Trasobares arrived at Metro Express shortly before 7:30 a.m. and found Lopez and another worker inside the repair shop.
According to information provided to police, Lopez had reportedly been sleeping at the workplace despite being told that he was not permitted to do so. When Trasobares discovered that the issue had continued, he allegedly confronted Lopez and instructed him to leave.
Witnesses described what happened next as a sudden and violent escalation.
Investigators allege that Lopez stood up, walked toward a nearby shelf and retrieved a .40-caliber firearm. He then reportedly shouted profanities in Spanish before shooting Trasobares in the chest.
The wounded business owner allegedly tried to move away from the gunfire but collapsed near a doorway.
Other employees immediately called 911 as the situation unfolded. What began as a disagreement over workplace conduct had turned into a medical emergency, with coworkers left to seek help for their injured boss.
What Lopez Allegedly Did After the Shooting
The moments following the shooting have become a particularly striking part of the investigation.
According to witness statements included in the arrest affidavit, Lopez walked outside after the alleged shooting and smoked a cigarette while employees contacted emergency services.
Witnesses then reportedly saw him riding a tricycle around the business’s parking lot as officers made their way to the scene.
When police arrived, they found Lopez outside the business. According to the affidavit, he spontaneously told officers, “I did it.”
After taking him into custody, officers reportedly asked whether he had a weapon. Lopez allegedly told them that the firearm was next to a microwave inside the building.
Police then entered the business and found Trasobares lying on the floor with a gunshot wound to his chest.
The victim was airlifted to a nearby hospital, but he was later pronounced dead.
Authorities have not publicly established why Lopez allegedly chose to leave the building and ride the tricycle after the shooting. The reported actions form part of the witness accounts and evidence being considered in the case.
Suspect Describes Frustration With His Boss
During a subsequent interview with detectives, Lopez reportedly said he was “fed up” and had “had enough” of Trasobares’ insults and complaints.
That statement offers investigators a possible explanation for the tension between the two men, although it does not independently establish the full circumstances or motive behind the alleged shooting.
Workplace disagreements can arise over performance, attendance and conduct, but investigators are examining allegations that this particular dispute escalated into a fatal act of violence.
The accounts from employees, the reported statement to responding officers and the firearm allegedly identified by Lopez are among the details outlined in the arrest affidavit.
Authorities have not indicated that the shooting was accidental. However, the allegations will be addressed through the criminal court process, where evidence and any defense presented can be considered.
Hospital Treatment and Court Proceedings
Lopez reportedly complained of chest pains after his arrest and was taken to a hospital for evaluation.
He later appeared remotely before a judge for his initial court hearing while still in a hospital bed. The judge denied bond, according to reports on the case.
After being discharged from the hospital, Lopez was booked into jail.
He faces a second-degree murder charge in connection with Trasobares’ death. His next court appearance was scheduled for Monday, according to the available reports.
A charge is an allegation, not a conviction. The prosecution must establish the elements of the offense in court, and Lopez is entitled to the legal process and presumption of innocence.
A Fatal Workplace Dispute Under Investigation
The shooting has left questions about how the confrontation developed and what happened in the moments before the gun was allegedly fired.
Investigators will rely on witness accounts, the arrest affidavit and other available evidence to establish the sequence of events and address the circumstances surrounding Trasobares’ death.
For the employees who witnessed the incident, the morning reportedly began with a familiar workplace disagreement before becoming a tragedy that required an emergency response.
The case now moves forward through the courts, where the allegations against Lopez will be examined and the circumstances of the deadly confrontation will be addressed.
