Police say the suspect was arrested after a freeway pursuit through Southern California.
POMONA, Calif. — A 24-year-old woman and a man were fatally shot Thursday afternoon at a Pomona apartment complex, and a 48-year-old suspect was arrested hours later after a long police chase, authorities and family members said.
Family members identified the woman as Veronica Lopez, the youngest of five daughters. Pomona police said officers responded just before 3:30 p.m. to reports of shots fired near Monterey and Garey avenues, where they found a man and woman with gunshot wounds. Both died despite life-saving efforts by Los Angeles County firefighters.
The shooting quickly became a homicide investigation and then a freeway pursuit. Police said the suspect, Robert Galtman, fled in a black Kia sedan after the shooting. An automatic license plate reader later detected the vehicle on the northbound 5 Freeway in Sylmar. Officers began following the car, and the chase stretched for about 90 minutes before law enforcement stopped it with a PIT maneuver. Galtman was taken into custody Thursday night.
Lopez’s relatives said she and Galtman had been in a relationship for about two years. At a memorial outside the apartment complex, candles and balloons marked the place where relatives gathered in grief. “Why? Why did he kill my baby?” her mother, Sheila Lopez, said. Coby Lopez, Veronica’s father, said his daughter was happy, vibrant and full of life when family saw her.
Klarissa Lopez, Veronica’s sister, said the family learned of the death while watching news coverage of the pursuit. She said relatives recognized the car and saw a dog being rescued from the vehicle. The family then contacted Pomona police, who confirmed Veronica Lopez’s identity through fingerprints, she said. Authorities had not publicly released the second victim’s name in the ABC7 report.
Other reports identified the second victim as Richard Brady, 48, a neighbor. Relatives and friends said he may have been trying to help during the confrontation. Police have not released a full account of what led to the shooting, and the motive remains under investigation. The case is being handled by the Pomona Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit.
Galtman remained in custody with bail set at $3.1 million. He was scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday in Pomona. Prosecutors had not announced all formal charges as of the family’s public statements, but police described the case as a double homicide investigation.
The Lopez family said they are focused on justice and funeral plans. “We want justice for my sister,” Coby Lopez said. Relatives described Veronica Lopez as a former skater and a young woman with close family ties. They said they are trying to stay strong while remembering her smile.
The investigation remained active Monday, with Galtman’s next court step set for Tuesday in Pomona.
Author note: Last updated June 22, 2026.