3 dead after shooting in Kannapolis DSS parking lot

KANNAPOLIS, NC – Two people are dead following a shooting in the parking lot of  the Cabarrus County Social Services Office on South Cannon Boulevard in Kannapolis.

The shooting happened around 8:30 Wednesday morning. Kannapolis police say they received a 911 call that a man was firing a gun in the parking lot.

When officers arrived they found 45-year-old Maria Julian-Pichardo and her 19-year-old daughter Yamilaine Sosa-Julian dead.

A Cabarrus County Sheriff Deputy and other law enforcement chased the suspect, 51-year-old Rafael Lopez to Rockwell where police say he pulled over and then shot himself.

Investigators say Lopez and Julian-Pichardo were married.

Law enforcement and DSS began investigating a situation involving the couple on February 1 following a domestic violence incident at their home while their children were present. At that time firearms were removed from the home.

On February 6 Mr. Lopez was charged with a misdemeanor crime of domestic assault. He was out on a $5,000 bail. On February 14 he was served with a temporary 50-B Domestic Protective Order.

The two victims were at DSS to meet with a social worker to further discuss the domestic violence incident.

Dr. Natalie Jones is a licensed professional counselor. She says situations like this happen almost every day. Jones tells victims to take extra precautions when taking out a restraining order. “That may be temporarily relocating, that may be investing in some sort of personal Protection,” said Jones.

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call the Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.