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Daniel Lopez, who police say is a known gang member, was charged with attempted murder Wednesday.

20-year-old Daniel Lopez, who police say is a known gang member, was charged with attempted murder Wednesday. They say back on January 16, he opened fire at a vigil for 14-year-old Danny Rodriguez. A 19-year-old man was hurt in that shooting. The arrest of Daniel Lopez offers little relief to the people who call Lompoc home. That's because it is believed the person who killed 14-year-old Danny Rodriguez is still at large.Lompoc police Sergeant Danny Rios said, "We don't believe he's responsible for the first one, at this point. We're still looking into that."
Since the January 14 shooting of Danny Rodriguez, 11 search warrants have been issued to known gang members in the community.Most everyone who lives in this city of more than 41,000, knows about the recent shootings.Devon Miller has lived in Lompoc his whole life. He says the city can be a dangerous place."I remember when people were just getting stabbed and not shot and then like 'Oh, it was just a stabbing.' Everybody was like all afraid, and like now, people are getting shot and then they're like, 'Oh this is getting really serious,' said Miller.Miller adds that even riding a bike around his neighborhood can be risky.Miller said, "It's pretty scary. That's why my mom, even though I'm 18 she wants me in at the latest at 10:30." Officers say the city's gang task force is making progress in the fight to end gang violence but it's a difficult battle.Sergeant Rios said, "A lot of the older gang members are in custody. Now we're dealing with sometimes second and third generation, you know the younger up and comers, and now we're attacking that problem as well."Investigators say since those search warrants were issued they have learned some valuable information that is helping with their case.Officers say investigating gang related crimes is difficult because many people are afraid to come forward for fear of retaliation.

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