ARLINGTON, Texas - A 55-year-old Arlington man has been sentenced to 35 years in prison after firing multiple rounds into a neighbor's home and later shooting more than a dozen additional rounds while experiencing methamphetamine-induced paranoia, prosecutors announced.
Mike Lopez was sentenced by a judge following his conviction for deadly conduct involving the discharge of a firearm. The case was prosecuted by Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Alex Rhee and John Kleinwachter.
According to prosecutors, the incidents began in June 2025 when Lopez, who had been using methamphetamine for several days, became convinced that intruders were attempting to break into his home.
During the first incident, Lopez fired shots into his neighbor's living room, believing he was defending himself from people who did not exist.
The following day, Lopez repeatedly called police claiming armed robbers were surrounding his residence. While officers responded to the scene, Lopez fired more than 16 rounds from his bedroom.
Authorities said Lopez later admitted he had been using methamphetamine continuously for four days and acknowledged that the drug caused him to experience hallucinations and paranoia.
Arlington police officers arrested Lopez on June 4, 2025.
Following the presentation of evidence, the judge sentenced Lopez to 35 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
