Year After Andy Lopez Shooting, Activists in Sonoma County Call For Greater Police Diversity, Body-Worn Cameras

One day before Oct. 22 anniversary of teen's death, county approves purchase of land for Andy Lopez memorial park

One year after 13-year-old Andy Lopez was shot to death by a Sonoma County Sheriff's deputy in Santa Rosa, community activists are demanding change.

The group Justice for Andy Lopez organized outside Tuesday’s board of supervisors meeting, one day before the Oct. 22 anniversary of his death. They circulated petitions calling for the firing of Erick Gelhaus, the deputy who killed Lopez.

Gelhaus claimed he thought the pellet gun Lopez carried was an assault rifle.

Activists told the supervisors they want more diversity in local law enforcement – and that's not all.

"In our community, we very much want to see video cameras on all the police force, sheriff's and city police,” Justice for Andy Lopez’s Gail Simons said.

At Tuesday's meeting, the board approved the purchase of two empty lots at the site where Lopez was killed. The land will be made into a memorial park.

Gelhaus returned to patrol in August.

Contact Us