![[Main image] Authorities investigate the scene where Stephen Finson was found dead Feb. 24, 2014. [Inset] Arturo Lopez and victim Stephen Finson.](https://theavtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Lopez-Guilty.jpg)
Arturo Lopez, 41, was found guilty June 2 of second-degree murder for the shooting death of Stephen Finson, 47, of Lancaster.
Lopez was also convicted of one count each of conspiracy to commit a crime and offering false evidence, along with three counts of possession of a firearm by a felon.
Finson’s body was found Feb. 24, 2014, on the ground near his ATV in the 13300 block of East Avenue H in Lancaster, about eight hours after family members reported that he had failed to return from the desert.
An autopsy revealed that Finson died from a gunshot to the head that went through the back of his helmet and exited through his open face mask, homicide detectives said.
More than a month after Finson’s death, and two weeks after a $10,000 reward was offered to help solve the crime, authorities were tipped off to ex-convict Arturo Lopez. He was arrested by Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies in April of 2014 and has remained behind bars since then.
Finson was shot by Lopez while riding and taking pictures in the desert, according to Deputy District Attorney John Evans.
Previous related stories:
Man convicted of murdering ATV rider in the desert
2 plead to accessory in murder of Lancaster ATC rider
Man ordered to trial for murder of ATC rider
Felon pleads not guilty to Stephen Finson’s murder
Man charged with murder of Stephen Finson
Suspect arrested for the murder of Stephen Finson
Memorial service to be held for Stephen Finson
Missing man found shot to death
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YZ KID says
Crazy’ ive been shot at in rosamond desert riding my dirtbike had to get away even crashed from losing control from going fast and swerving thanks to my marine training i crawled a good distance in brush into a hole and waited
John says
Thank you for the update on this case, AV Times staff. I have been wondering what the final story was on this tragedy. The punishment of 45 years might as well be a life sentence for Arturo Lopez. Glad he got what he deserves. I hope Stephen Finson’s family and friends can find a little peace and closure from their loss.
Ron says
If they would have hung him in 30 days we stop alot of this stuff.. I knew the victim. He was a really good guy.
Havesomeempathypeople says
While everyone bitches about guns….
My CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY OF THIS MAN.MAY GOD BRING YOU COMFORT
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted
Laura says
That’s why US. should have control firearms. So no one, will carry guns except the police.
Shane Falco says
This guy was a felon and wasn’t supposed to have a gun, there’s already laws in place for that, as well as laws against shooting people. Laws aren’t going to protect you from bad guys.
Just like illegals coming in, just passing a law outlawing them from being here doesn’t stop them.
LOL says
We have preventative measures already in place to prevent things such as this. You think that gun control is going to prevent a criminal who isn’t supposed to have a weapon from acquiring one?
That’s hilarious; people who legitimately own weapons are not the one committing crimes, genius!!!
Tim Scott says
Every weapon they “acquire” started out in the hands of someone who “legitimately owned it.” Reduce the supply it reduces the quantity. That does logically follow. If you can’t follow that, here’s a thought experiment:
If we could, as if by magic, destroy every firearm in the US overnight where would the criminal who isn’t supposed to have one get one in the morning?
Laughing says
Supply chain out of Mexico, Canada, overseas.
Tim Scott says
We are a supplier, not an importer.
Laughing says
Oh I forgot…. hardware store. Zip guns have been around a long long time.
Tim Scott says
Yes they have. So have rocks.
The reality is that they are nowhere near as efficient for killing significant numbers of people as more recent inventions are.
Shane Falco says
Every criminal that “commits crime” started out as someone who “was never a criminal.” Reduce the supply it reduces the quantity. That does logically follow. If you can’t follow that, here’s a thought experiment:
If we could, as if by magic, destroy every criminal in the US overnight where would the criminal who isn’t supposed to commit crime going to do so every morning?
Indeed….
Tim Scott says
Nice try at a parallel, but you slipped a step. The solution to criminals based on elimination of the source would be to just eliminate everyone who might become a criminal…in your world no doubt that means everyone but Falcos…a solution I have no doubt would appeal to a megalomaniac like you.
I’ll stick with eliminating the source of weapons in their hands…which would be weapons in yours…which given your world view are more dangerous there anyway.
Shane Falco says
Sounds like you are saying that the problem with crime and people intent on committing murder is so problematic that we are unable to control these criminals and must resort to eliminating one of our founding freedoms and constitutional rights.
At the same time you want to defend these poor misunderstood criminals wrongly targeted by those meanie police officers.
Luckily my wife and I own another home and a cabin in two different counties besides Los Angeles county and have been able to obtain our own concealed weapons licenses. Fortunately, our residences are in almost zero crime areas. No gang members, drug problems, homeless or townhomes to be seen.
Joe says
So criminals carry guns but yet a law abiding citizen out for a ride, enjoying his day had no chance of defending himself. Just upsetting! I pray that the family has a bit of peace and healing.
Tim Scott says
So, if only he had been carrying a gun IN HIS HELMET perhaps it would have deflected the fatal bullet…is that your argument?
By the way, the gun he was killed with was originally sold as a legal firearm. The source of EVERY illegal firearm is legal firearms. If you want to cut down on illegal firearms, reducing the supply they are drawn from is one sure way to do it.
Shane Falco says
Every firearm starts out as a legal purchase. Just like everybody starts out without a criminal record, and good credit.
Along the way, people ruin these things all by themselves. There’s nothing illegal about a bottle of alcohol or a vehicle, in the hands of the wrong person breaking the law, they are just as deadly as a felon with a firearm.
Tim Scott says
Was this bit of inanity intended to have some sort of meaning?
billy g says
Makes sense. A legal gun owner might one day become a criminal with a gun. A sane person with a gun might one day snap and be a crazy person with a gun. But its still the same gun.
Tim Scott says
Or the gun gets sold by the legal gun owner to a criminal. Or it gets stolen by a criminal. Or some other path I can’t think of right now. But no matter how you cut it, the more legal guns there are the more there are available to become illegal guns.
Shane Falco says
“Illegal” gun? I think you mean a gun in the hands of a criminal.
Our family has had guns for generations…many guns. We grew up way out in the unincorporated west side areas of the antelope valley. Dad and uncles always made sure they were locked up. Luckily almost all of the guns in the family haven’t killed anybody.
lol says
@Shane: you can’t reason with crazy and you can’t argue with stupid…
Only the Facts says
You are wrong sir…… The gun was actually found to have been a “ghost” gun manufactured in Mexico….
Tim Scott says
My bad then. I’ll look into this ghost gun business. Most firearms in the hands of people who ought not have them, in my experience, come from Arizona, but I’m willing to take your word on it.
Shane Falco says
Tim is about as educated on guns and gun laws as Eric Holder.
Tim Scott says
Comparison to a former attorney general of the United States? I’d take the compliment, but it is way excessive. I know ten times as much about being a descent human being as you do though, which is a plus.