Miguel Lopez-Cuen, age 35, has died following a suspected murder-suicide incident that unfolded near a Stockton gym last week. The Stockton Police Department confirmed Wednesday that the second man injured in the shooting—initially hospitalized in critical condition—has since succumbed to his injuries.
The case has since developed into a complex and deeply troubling investigation now tied to another homicide in Garden Grove, Orange County.
On the morning of July 17, at approximately 7:58 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 800 block of West Eight Mile Road, near the Elkhorn Athletic Club, after receiving reports of gunfire. When authorities arrived, they discovered two men suffering from gunshot wounds and located a firearm at the scene.
Miguel Lopez-Cuen was pronounced dead at the scene, while the second man was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. His passing was later confirmed by law enforcement.
According to police, Lopez-Cuen is believed to have been the shooter in the Stockton incident and was acquainted with the second victim. Investigators also linked Lopez-Cuen to a separate homicide in Garden Grove, where his wife, Crystal Gonzales, was found dead.
Garden Grove Police were initially alerted when the couple’s daughter called for a welfare check at a home on Morgan Lane, citing concerns for her mother. Upon arriving at the scene, officers found Crystal Gonzales deceased inside what appeared to be a short-term rental property. Two young children were also present but unharmed. According to police, they were unaware of what had occurred.
Crystal Gonzales was confirmed to be the wife of Lopez-Cuen and the mother of the two children found at the scene.
When Garden Grove officers arrived, Lopez-Cuen was not at the residence. There were no signs of forced entry. As the investigation progressed, family members informed police that Lopez-Cuen’s vehicle had been located in Stockton. This information was shared with the Stockton Police Department, which led to the connection between the two cases.
The California Highway Patrol and both local departments are now working together as the investigation continues.
Authorities have not yet determined a motive behind the tragic events, but both communities are left reeling from the devastating loss of life. The incidents have raised serious concerns around mental health, domestic violence, and family safety.
As the investigation moves forward, police urge anyone with information that may assist in piecing together the timeline or motives to come forward.
The deaths of Crystal Gonzales and Miguel Lopez-Cuen mark a heartbreaking tragedy, leaving behind grieving loved ones, including their two children, now facing an uncertain future without either parent.
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