Golden State Today

A Lompoc man was arrested for attempted murder following a shooting incident in Buellton. On the evening of November 8, 2024, deputies responded to a disturbance report on Valley Station Drive. Upon arrival, they discovered that Sergio Martin Lopez Hernandez, 35, from Lompoc, had allegedly yelled obscenities at the victim and fired several rounds before fleeing in a black Ford F150. Although familiar with each other, neither the victim nor anyone else was injured by the gunfire.

During the investigation at the scene, authorities issued a be-on-the-lookout alert to local units. Shortly after, at around 9:10 p.m., California Highway Patrol located Lopez Hernandez in his vehicle parked at the Lompoc Home Depot. Deputies arrested him and found a loaded firearm with its serial number filed off inside his vehicle.

Lopez Hernandez was taken to Northern Branch Jail and charged with multiple felonies including attempted murder, altering identifying marks on a firearm, and shooting at an inhabited dwelling. He also faces misdemeanor charges for driving under the influence and carrying a loaded firearm in public. His bail is set at $1 million.