Man who killed girlfriend’s father in Avondale sentenced to 4 decades in prison

PHOENIX — A defendant convicted of killing a man in 2021 has been sentenced to prison for his crimes.

Terron Brown was sentenced to 43 years in prison for the murder of Ricardo Lopez Sr. The news was shared by Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell on Monday.

In November 2021, Avondale officers responded to calls reporting a shooting at a residence near 103rd Avenue and Indian School Road. 

An initial investigation revealed Brown was dating a member of the Lopez family when he got into a verbal argument with the victim at the location. 

Officials said it was during this incident that Brown pulled out a gun and fired multiple shots. Lopez Sr. was killed, and another family member was also shot, but survived. Authorities said Brown was arrested near 104th Avenue and Indian School Road after he fled the scene. 

In 2025, Brown was convicted of the following charges:

• One count of second-degree murder, a Class One dangerous felony
• Three counts of aggravated assault, a Class Three dangerous domestic violence felony
• Two counts of unlawful discharge of a firearm, a Class Six dangerous felony

“No one should ever fear for their life inside the sanctuary of their home, yet that is exactly what this domestic abuser did,” said County Attorney Mitchell. “When conflicts escalate to gun violence, the consequences are irreversible, and today’s sentence reflects the gravity of taking a life and our commitment to holding violent offenders fully accountable.”

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