Renter accused of killing landscaper sent by landlord to trim trees in front yard

GILBERT, Ariz. (KPHO/Gray News) — An Arizona man is accused of shooting a landscaper who was sent to trim the trees in the front yard of the home.

Police say Wyatt Ford, 28, was arrested on Monday afternoon following the shooting death of 51-year-old Manuel Vega Lopez.

According to court documents, Ford’s wife called 911 around 4:30 p.m. to report that her husband was confronting a man outside their home on Ironhorse Road.

She reportedly told dispatchers that she and her husband believed the man had tried to vandalize and steal from their trailer a few nights ago.

The woman also told authorities that her husband carried a concealed handgun.

As officers were responding, additional witnesses called 911 to report hearing multiple gunshots.

Documents stated that during one of those calls, Ford’s wife could be heard in the background saying her husband “just shot him.”

Police arrived moments later to find Vega Lopez suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene, while Wyatt was detained nearby.

A neighbor reportedly told police she was leaving her home when she heard yelling and saw a man with his arms extended out, followed by the sound of up to four gunshots. Documents stated she then heard Wyatt yell for someone to call 911 and that he “didn’t mean to do it.”

Police also spoke with Wyatt’s wife at the scene, who explained that they were renters and had just bought a trailer as they prepared to move out of state.

Investigators said the woman told them that they noticed that their trailer had been recently vandalized and that a neighbor told them that a man had been outside their home a few nights ago.

On Monday afternoon, she and her husband were driving home in separate vehicles when she reportedly saw the same vehicle their neighbor described parked in front of their house. When she called Wyatt, he reportedly told her to wait down the street and to call 911.

Court records stated she also told police that their landlord sent the couple a group chat message earlier on Monday, saying he was sending a landscaper to trim the front yard trees later that day. She also indicated that Wyatt was aware of this because he had replied to the message.

Investigators said they then spoke to the couple’s landlord, who said he recently received notice from the town of Gilbert about the trees. He reportedly called Vega Lopez, who drove by the home a few nights before and confirmed he would be able to trim them.

At the scene, Vega Lopez’s pickup was parked on the side of the home with various landscaping tools in the truck bed. A pole saw was also lying nearby. Police say Vega Lopez was not armed.

Documents stated Wyatt was taken into custody and requested an attorney. He was booked into the Maricopa County jail for second-degree murder.