Sheriff’s office asks for murder charges 3 months after fatal shooting

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Three months after Margarita Lopez was killed, the case has been resubmitted to the Kern County District Attorney’s Office.

This could mean a breakthrough for what the family has been describing as hitting a wall.

Sandy Camarena, Maggie’s sister, saw everything and told 17 News back it was Lopez’s brother-in-law, Paul Magallanes, who allegedly shot her sister Maggie.

“I tried to put my hand over her chest so I could stop the bleeding, but it was just like a water balloon had popped.” said Sandy Camarena, sister of Maggie Lopez, “There was just so much blood everywhere.”

Magallanes was arrested that night and booked on suspicion of murder but released two days later. The District Attorney returned the case to the Kern County Sheriff’s Office requesting more investigation.

The family was so frustrated they begged the board of supervisors for help.

“Her murderer Paul Magallanes was arrested on the night of April 19, but was released just days later,” said Frances Bocanegra to County Supervisors.

Three months after the shooting, The Kern County Sheriff’s Office sent the case back to prosecutors, asking for murder charges.

The DA’s Office confirmed the case is being reviewed.

Closure might be on the horizon for Lopez’s sisters, who remember the great woman she was.

“I know they say there’s not a favorite child, but my sister was,” said Bocanegra.

We reached out to Paul Magallanes’ attorney but did not hear back.

The family expresses how difficult it is to grieve a loved one while having to seek justice on your own at the same time.

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