Grieving sister opens up about ‘extraordinary’ teenage brother killed in accidental shooting

PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. – A South Florida family remains in mourning following the tragic death of a teenage boy.

Police say 15-year-old Achilles Lopez was accidentally shot and killed by his stepmother in their Pembroke Pines home on June 11.

Achilles’ sister, Tyrani Lopez, spoke to Local 10 News’ Rosh Lowe about her brother and the kind of person he was.

“He was an extraordinary person,” Lopez said. “Everything I wished for in a brother is what he was.”

Witnesses said Lopez’s stepmother was playing with the gun when it went off.

“I never wanted to stop talking about my brother,” she said. “I have a fear of public speaking but just speaking about him brings a sense of peace to me.”

Peace that is extremely needed for this family, as their lives have been shattered.

“I need the world to know how amazing Achilles was and I don’t ever want to stop talking about him,” said Lopez.

Achilles was a talented and loved soccer player who had so much life to give, a caring, kind, and compassionate person, says his sister.

“I want him to know that I miss him,” she said. “I miss him so much.”

The investigation into the shooting remains active and ongoing.

Pembroke Pines police said Monday, “The final outcome of the investigation will determine whether or not an arrest could be made.”

Achilles’ sister wanted to use this moment not to speak about the investigation or anyone else, but simply honor her brother’s memory and pay tribute to a young life lost.

“Regardless of what happens, I’ll never get my brother back,” she said. “Anyone you speak will tell you my brother didn’t have one bad bone in his body.

“I didn’t think in a million lifetimes, even if I had another brother, they would be like him.”


About the Author:

Reporter Rosh Lowe has been covering news for nearly two decades in South Florida. He joined Local 10 in 2021.