Doctors say he could have been dead but 19 year old Roberto Lopez survived a vicious machete chop to his head. The incident occurred on Saturday night near the Vernon Street Fish Market. Lopez is in the hospital but his journey on the road to recovery is slow and worrying. Here’s more.
Roberto Lopez, Chopping Victim
“Roberto Lopez. My name is Roberto Lopez.”
His name is just about all Roberto Lopez’s family has been able to get from him since Saturday night when he was viciously chopped in the head. His family is keeping vigil at his bedside as he weaves in and out of consciousness – speaking at times incoherently.
Edilberto Lopez, Father
“A guy attacked his friend and his friend run. When his friend run, he asked what was happening. He said he had the bike and the guy just came and whapped him. They chopped him in the brain and that is why the doctor said he could have gotten a stroke or he could have died on the spot where they chopped him.”
Keith Swift,
Have you been able to talk to him? You told me he has been slipping in and out of consciousness.
Edilberto Lopez,
“I say he is subconscious because he remembers my name, he remembers his uncle names. But in a split second he would confuse me and call me mom and then he would see his uncle and call him brother or so. Doctors haven’t told us about what is going on but I really want to know what is happening and I want to know what the law is doing to the perpetrator who did this.”
The family complained that police weren’t actively investigating the case. We do however know that police have tried to locate the prime suspect who is a Salvadoran that used to work at Bowen and Bowen in Ladyville. He has however hasn’t reported to work since, not even to pick up his pay check. They fear he may have already left the country.
The family also complains that even though Lopez worked for four years at Hop Sing, he isn’t receiving any benefits from Social Security.
