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WEST VALLEY CITY — A man shot by West Valley police who later posted bail and was released from jail is now back in custody after being arrested on a federal warrant.
On Friday, a federal complaint was unsealed against Ricardo Jose Lopez, 26, of West Valley City, charging him with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
After the warrant was unsealed, agents and officers from the U.S. Marshals Office, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Unified Police Department and West Valley City Police Department assisted the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in finding Lopez and re-arresting him without incident.
On March 1, Lopez was seen in the area of 3300 West and 4060 South standing in the middle of the street with another man, according to a Salt Lake County Jail report. At one point, police say Lopez pulled out a gun and fired two rounds into the air, prompting neighbors to call 911.
"It was later learned that the shooter lived less than one block from where he had fired the handgun," according to the federal complaint. "Once the shooter arrived at his residence, he and the other male began to physically fight in the front yard."
One caller reported to 911 that the fight had ended and both men went into the house using a basement door, according to the charges.
A short time later, three West Valley officers arrived at the scene. A K-9 officer saw Lopez walking out of the basement door holding a handgun in his right hand, the complaint states.
"The officer immediately challenged Lopez. Lopez began to raise his right elbow and turn around. The officer fired two rounds at Lopez, striking Lopez once," according to the complaint.
Related:
West Valley man shot by police released from jail
A man who was shot by a West Valley police officer last week posted bail and has been released from the Salt Lake County Jail.West Valley Police Chief Lee Russo later said that Lopez "made some very strong threats at the scene."
Lopez was taken to a local hospital in critical condition. He was well enough to be transferred from the hospital to jail on March 3 and was booked for investigation of possession of a weapon by a restricted person and illegal discharge of a firearm.
However, on March 7, was able to met the requirements for his $35,000 bail and was released from jail before any criminal charges were filed against him.
Police say Lopez is a documented gang member who goes by the moniker "Crooks." The gun he was holding that day was reported stolen out of Murray in 2014, according to the federal complaint.
In 2008, Lopez was convicted of charges related to a stolen vehicle and a chase with police, and he was sentenced to up to five years at the Utah State Prison.
If convicted on the federal charge, Lopez could serve up to 10 years in prison. A federal judge has already ordered Lopez be held pending trial.
