FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – The investigation into a dead body found in the woods in Fort Wayne last week is now a murder case. Police say they arrested a suspect over the weekend.
41-year-old Anthony Lopez is looking at murder charges.
Police say he shot the man found in the woods on the city’s east side last Thursday.
A second suspect in the case remains on the loose. Detectives in Fort Wayne are not offering a motive in the case.
FWPD released the following:
On 4/14/2022 at 1922 Hours, Fort Wayne Officers responded to the wooded area just west of McCormick Ave and Birchwood Ave reference a man-down investigation. Upon arrival, officers located the victim suffering from gunshot wound(s). He was pronunced deceased on scene and his death ruled a homicide by the Allen County Coroners Office. The FWPD’s Homicide Division responded to scene and led the investigation. On Saturday 4/16/2022 41yo Anthony Lopez was arrested for the murder of William Kintzel. The Homicide Division was assisted by the the Vice/Narcotics Division, the Gang and Violent Crimes Unit and the Allen County Prosecuting Attorneys Office.
ORIGINAL STORY:
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – There may be a crime connected to the body found in the woods in Fort Wayne.
Police say two kids found the man’s body Thursday evening close to McCormick and Birchwood Avenues.
Authorities say they’ve identified the man, but they are not yet releasing his name.
Investigators say there are signs of injury to the man’s chest, though they are not saying just what those injuries are.
An autopsy is scheduled in the case.
FWPD officials released the following:
On April 14th, 2022 at approximately 7;20 PM dispatched received a call an adult male was lying in the woods, possibly deceased. The person calling stated he was walking through the woods and found the male. He did not approach the male and immediately called police.
When officers arrived they confirmed the male lying in the woods was deceased. The victim had injuries to his chest but it was unknown at this time the specific cause of the injuries. It was also unknown how long the male had been deceased. The victim was an adult male, 63yrs of age. Although the victim has been identified, we are not releasing his identity until the family has been notified.
The investigation is being held by the Fort Wayne Police Department, Allen County Coroners Office, and the Allen County Prosecutors Office. If there is any information regarding this incident, please contact the Fort Wayne Police Department at 427-1201, Crime Stoppers at 436-7867, or the P3 Tips app. The police are asking for neighbors to review their home video surveillance footage and call police if there is any information that might assist in the investigation.
