In the early morning of July 20, 2025, 15-year-old Luis Jocsan Nanez Lopez was shot and killed inside a triplex on West Sun Street in Morehead, Kentucky after intervening to protect his mother. Authorities say the teenager, about to start his sophomore year at Rowan County Senior High School, stepped in when his mother was being assaulted; his sister was also shot and critically wounded during the same incident. Law enforcement responded to a 2:30 a.m. report and found both teens with gunshot wounds; Luis was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police identified and arrested 36-year-old Gildardo Amandor-Martinez, described as the mother’s boyfriend, after a brief search. He was charged with murder, first-degree assault, and attempted rape and is being held at the Rowan County Detention Center. It was reported that Martinez is a Mexican national who entered the United States without authorization and that ICE has placed a detainer seeking custody if he is released from local custody.

If anyone knew Luis or has information about what happened that night, please share what you can with investigators.