Mexican Land Standoff Leads to Arrest in Lawrenceville Homicide Case

LAWRENCEVILLE — A dispute over land in Mexico has resulted in a homicide charge in Gwinnett County. The Gwinnett County Police Department announced today that Mario Rene Lopez-Jolon, 38, of Lawrenceville, has been charged with the death of Guadalupe Garcia Rodriguez.

Lopez-Jolon was apprehended in Huntsville, Alabama, after a tip led detectives to his location.

The case, which has been unfolding since early July, took a critical turn on August 8 when investigators received new information linking the victim to a land dispute with the father of an ex-girlfriend. This revelation led detectives to a residence in Lawrenceville where they conducted multiple interviews.

The interviews identified Lopez-Jolon as a suspect, and with the cooperation of the Huntsville Police Department, he was arrested at a hotel in Huntsville.

Lopez-Jolon now faces charges including malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of certain felonies. He is currently awaiting extradition to Gwinnett County from Madison County, Alabama.

By The Numbers

• Date of Incident: July 3, 2024 – The body of Guadalupe Garcia Rodriguez was found.
• Age of Victim: 40 years old.
• Age of Suspect: 38 years old.
• Days Until Suspect’s Arrest: 40 days from the discovery of the body to the arrest of Mario Rene Lopez-Jolon.
• Key Locations: Paden Cove Trail in Lawrenceville, Bethesda Church Road, and Hidden Drive (last seen location of the suspect).

The Sources

• Gwinnett County Police Department updates
• Huntsville Police Department arrest reports

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