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Rivera found guilty of shooting Cape police officer

By Staff | Aug 15, 2013

Cape Coral resident Yousel Lopez Rivera, 21, has been found guilty of shooting Cape Coral Police officer David Wagoner. The verdict was handed down this morning in a Lee County courtroom.

Rivera shot Wagoner during an early-morning traffic stop April 16, 2011, on Santa Barbara Boulevard. Following the incident he was charged with one count of attempted first-degree murder on a law enforcement officer while possessing a firearm.

In response to the verdict, the Cape Coral Police Department issued the following statement:

“The Cape Coral Police Department would like to thank State Attorney Steve Russell and his prosecutorial team for their hard work and dedication in making the State’s case. We would also like to thank the members of the jury for their time and service, understanding the burden that this has placed on them and their families. We also want to take this time to thank the men and women of the Cape Coral Police Department- Police Officers, Detectives, Forensic and Evidence Personnel, for their tireless efforts in putting together the best possible criminal case. The Cape Coral Police Department respects the jury’s decision and the hard work that it took to arrive at this guilty verdict. Finally, we want to thank the community for the overwhelming support that has been shown towards Officer Wagoner since this all began.

“Today’s guilty verdict marks an end to a long and painful chapter in the life of Officer Dave Wagoner, and in the history of the Cape Coral Police Department. We ask that the media be mindful of this in the coming days and weeks, so as to allow the Wagoners time to process this as a family.”