Horne & Wells, PLLC Attorneys at Law ARTHUR E, HORNE, IIL ESQ aIIMONR AVENE camuy DALY MURRAY B. WELLS, ESQ SUITE 400 mee : BUSINESSMEN'S CLUB. NICOLE CIC} eee MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE 38103 Paralegal AARON A. NEGLIA, ESQ TEL (901) 507-2521 FAX (901) 307-1791 WWW.HORNEWELLS.COM August 11, 2017 Jeff Sessions, Attorney General U.S. Department of Justice 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Office Attorney General Washington, D.C. 20530 John Gore, Esq U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Office of the Assistant Attorney General, Main Washington, D.C. 20530 RE: FORMAL REQUEST FOR INVESTIGATION/REVIEW Police Department, City of Southaven, Mississippi Client: Family of Ismael Lopez Dear Attomey General Sessions: Please be advised that this firm represents the family of Ismael Lopez, who was shot and killed by un-named members of the Southaven, Mississippi Police Department on July 23, 2017. According to statements issued by that police department, Mr. Lopez was shot when police wrongly entered the Lopez home to serve a warrant that had not yet been issued (signed by judge the following day, July 24, 2017). Inexplicably, the “warrant” was for another address and was to be served on a Caucasian person with no relation or resemblance to Mr. Lopez: whose premises were across the street and clearly-marked, Most chilling, evidence indicates that Mr. Lopez. was shot thru a closed door, and in the back of the head. To date, Southaven has not identified the officers, offered any rational explanation as to how this happened or offered any condolences to the family of the deceased. Further, since this incident made national news, this firm has been deluged with calls from citizens complaining of improper behavior from that same police department, We encourage you to examine the extensive media coverage of this matter to confirm the nature of this event. Also, the “report” released by the Southaven Police Department incorrectly identifies Mr. Lopez as an offender andas Caucasian, when he was neither. We believe this to be intentional and an effort to shit blame to a man who was sleeping in his bed, with his wife, when the Southaven Police Department trespassed upon his property without any legal authority or purpose, yet purporting to be acting under the color of law While we are aware of recent policy statements regarding Federal interference into local police matters, we believe the outrageous nature of this death should prompt immediate and thorough investigation and as such, request the Justice Department become immediately involved. We cannot imagine a scenario which more obviously demands accountability and justice. We believe the facts as they exist today support a conclusion that Mr. Lopez’s rights were violated in such a severe and obvious way that mandates examination and action by your department Naturally, we stand ready to assist or support your efforts in any way, and thank you in advance for your prompt attention to this compelling and tragic situation, Very truly yours, Horne & Wells, PLLC eo Murray. Wells, Esq. ce: Senator Thad Cochran 113 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510 Senator Roger F. Wicker 355 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510 Robert H. Norman, Esq. United States Attorney's Office Ethridge Building, 900 Jefferson Ave. Oxford, MS 38655