Gwinnett County Fugitive Captured in Alabama, Killed Man After Dispute Over Land in Mexico

The Gwinnett County Police Department has charged 38-year-old Mario Rene Lopez-Jolon of Lawrenceville with the death of Guadalupe Garcia-Rodriguez. On August 8, 2024, detectives received new information indicating that the victim had recently been in a dispute over land in Mexico with the father of an ex-girlfriend. This led investigators to follow up with the ex-girlfriend at a home in Lawrenceville. During multiple interviews at the location, investigators were able to identify the suspect and learned that he was in Huntsville, Alabama. Detectives contacted the Huntsville Police Department, and Lopez-Jolon was taken into custody at a hotel in Huntsville.

Mario Rene Lopez-Jolon faces charges of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of certain felonies. He is currently awaiting extradition to Gwinnett County from Madison County, Alabama.

The murder occurred on July 3, 2024. At approximately 12:30 a.m., Gwinnett Police officers responded to the 200 block of Paden Cove Trail to check on a parked truck. When officers looked inside the vehicle, they discovered the body of 40-year-old Guadalupe Garcia-Rodriguez of Lawrenceville. Rodriguez had been reported missing by his wife on July 1. She informed officers that Rodriguez had not returned home that afternoon and was last seen leaving in the truck that day.