Prosecutor: Security guard in Springdale shooting won’t face charges
SPRINGDALE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — A security guard involved in a deadly shooting outside of a Springdale nightclub in December 2023 will not face charges, according to prosecutors.
On Dec. 17, 2023, Springdale police responded to a gunshot call at the Zabana Night Club around 1:50 a.m., according to a news release.
When officers arrived, they found a man, identified as Luis Ogando-Lopez, 21, with two gunshot wounds. Ogando-Lopez was taken to a nearby hospital where he later died from his injuries.
An initial investigation revealed Ogando-Lopez was kicked out of the building after “causing issues and having a knife on him,” SPD said.
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A security guard told police that Ogando-Lopez went to a vehicle, retrieved a gun and pointed it at the guard, who shot him.
Washington County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Denis Dean confirmed the guard would not be charged and the shooting was found to be justified.
According to Arkansas law, if a person is lawfully present at a location and lawfully allowed to carry a firearm, they do not have the duty to find a safe place.
“They may neutralize that threat and use deadly force against that person under Arkansas law,” Dean said.
Dean says this incident was investigated like any crime.
“The police showed up that evening at Zabana’s. They had a crime scene, they collected evidence, they collected statements, they collected surveillance video,” Dean said. “When you have a shooting you have shell casings on the ground. If you have a victim, sometimes you have injuries. So all of that was documented and examined and looked at to see if what everybody said happened actually did happen.”
“Because the bouncer reasonably believed that his life was in danger or the life of the other patrons,” Dean said.
He says while they never like to see anybody get hurt or killed, this particular bouncer in all likelihood saved lives not only his own but the patrons of the nightclub.
“We don’t know what the motivations of this man were that pulled the gun, but when you pull a gun, it is going to have real consequences,” Dean said.
Dean says the family of Ogando-Lopez can use the Freedom of Information Act to look into the case and get information, but it cannot be taken to court for an appeal.
Juan Frias-Villa, 26, who was with Ogando-Lopez the night of the incident allegedly got into a vehicle while the incident was taking place and drove toward a second security guard, hitting him.
Frias-Villa left the scene but was later found by detectives. He admitted to hitting the guard with his vehicle and fleeing the scene, the release said.
He was arrested on a second-degree battery charge and taken to the Washington County Jail. Frias-Villa has pleaded not guilty and his trial date has been set for Sept. 11.
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