Two people were killed inside an apartment complex hallway Thursday afternoon.
POMONA, Calif. — A man accused in a Pomona double killing was arrested Thursday evening after police said he fled a shooting scene and led officers on a freeway chase that ended north of Los Angeles.
Pomona police said officers were called at about 3:30 p.m. to an apartment complex near Monterey and Garey avenues after reports of gunfire. They found two people shot in a hallway. Firefighters tried to save them, but both were pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
Family members identified one victim as Veronica Lopez, who they said had been in a two-year relationship with the suspect, Robert Galtman. Her relatives said the relationship had been troubled. Sheila Lopez, Veronica’s mother, said at a memorial that she wanted answers for her daughter’s death. Coby Lopez, Veronica’s father, called her the youngest of his five daughters and said she had been “always happy” when family saw her.
Police said Galtman left the apartment complex in a black Kia sedan. A license plate reader later spotted the car on the northbound 5 Freeway in Sylmar. The California Highway Patrol and other agencies joined the pursuit as it moved through Southern California. Officers used a PIT maneuver to stop the sedan, and Galtman was arrested Thursday night without an ongoing public threat, police said.
The pursuit brought the case to Lopez’s family in a painful way. Klarissa Lopez said relatives were watching the chase on television when they recognized the car. She said her mother also noticed a dog connected to the vehicle. The family then called Pomona police and later received confirmation that Veronica Lopez had been killed.
Authorities initially withheld the names of the victims pending notification of relatives. Other local reports later identified the second victim as Richard Brady, 48. People close to Brady said he was a father and may have stepped in to help during the dispute. Police have not released a complete timeline of the hallway shooting or said exactly what happened in the moments before the gunfire.
The case now moves from the chase and arrest to the court process. Galtman was being held on $3.1 million bail and was expected in Pomona court Tuesday for arraignment. Investigators with the Pomona Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit continued to gather evidence, including witness statements and records tied to the apartment complex and pursuit.
Outside the complex, relatives built a memorial with candles and balloons for Lopez. Her family said she had been vibrant, talented and loved by her sisters. Coby Lopez said the family still has four daughters and must keep going, but the image of Veronica smiling will remain with them.
Galtman remained jailed Monday as police continued the double homicide investigation and the family prepared for the next court date.
Author note: Last updated June 22, 2026.