Greensboro reaches settlement for fatal police shooting of Joseph Lopez

The city of Greensboro has reached a $1.75 million settlement with the family of Joseph Lopez for the police shooting that led to his death in 2021.

Greensboro City Attorney Chuck Watts made the announcement at the end of Tuesday's city council meeting.

"The city of Greensboro in reaching this settlement publicly expresses to the Lopez family that the life of Joseph Lopez matters, and that the city is sincerely sorry for the Lopez family's loss," he says.

In November, 2021, officer Matthew Hamilton was among those who responded to the report of an intruder on Cloverdale Drive. Upon arrival, he ordered Lopez out of a shed.

When he didn't come out, a dog accompanying Hamilton entered first. The officer followed and seconds later he fatally shot Lopez.

Hamilton has since been fired by the Greensboro Police Department and indicted on a manslaughter charge. The criminal case is currently pending.

The law office representing Lopez's family released a statement calling on the city to guarantee that Hamilton will never be rehired by GPD.