Fatal Stabbing determined to be self defense

Chief Terrence Green is giving an update to the early morning stabbing death investigation last month in the Victorian Lakes neighborhood, as the 11th Circuit Solicitor’s Office has reviewed this case and has ruled it as a justifiable homicide.

On July 31, 2023, at approximately 3:22 a.m., officers were dispatched to a disturbance at 4901 Sunset Boulevard. When they arrived, they found Elioquin Ponce Lopez lying dead in the driveway of his residence from being stabbed with a knife.

Their investigation and interviews of family and witnesses found that Elioquin Lopez had attacked and physically fought with several family members, including his mother. Elioquin Lopez struck his mother several times with a wooden stick, which caused his brother to come to her aid. During this fight between brothers, Elioquin Lopez was stabbed in the upper body with a knife, which caused his death. The brother told detectives that he was fearful for his mother’s safety if he had not intervened. Interviews by detectives of multiple witnesses corroborated the brother’s statement.

With this review by the 11th Circuit Solicitor’s Office complete, the Lexington Police Department has closed the investigation into this incident.