GARFIELD HEIGHTS -- A Garfield Heights man is facing murder charges after police say he shot and killed two teenagers overnight Thursday.
Matthew Nicholson, 29, is charged with two counts of murder in addition to domestic violence. Police said in a news conference Thursday that Nicholson is a security officer contracted by a private company. Police originally said Nicholson worked with the Department of Homeland Security, but later clarified that he was contracted by a private company. It's unclear exactly where Nicholson was working.
Nicholson allegedly shot and killed 17-year-old Manuel Lopez and 19-year-old Giselle Lopez outside their E. 86th Street home. Police said Nicholson lived at the home with the teens and their mother.
The two siblings were found facedown on the driveway with gunshot wounds. Police say they found Manuel Lopez unconscious and not breathing, while Giselle Lopez was conscious. Both were taken to area hospitals, but Manuel was pronounced dead on arrival. His sister underwent surgery and died shortly after.
Nicholson barricaded himself inside the house around 9:30 p.m. and surrendered to authorities after a four-hour standoff. He emerged from the home wearing a bulletproof vest.
The victims' mother told police Nicholson is her boyfriend and the two began fighting over her ex-boyfriend. When the fight turned physical, Manuel Lopez attempted to defend his mother. Giselle Lopez became involved when she returned home from work.
Manuel, Giselle and their mother decided to leave the home when Nicholson allegedly threatened to kill them. As the trio stood in the driveway, Nicholson came outside and fired a pistol, striking the teens.
Before he was taken into custody, Nicholson's mother arrived at the scene and told officers she had been on the phone with her son from the time the shooting ended. Authorities directed her to continue communications with Nicholson in an attempt to deescalate the situation.
At one point during the standoff, authorities were told that Nicholson had threatened to shoot any police officer who attempted to enter the home. No shots were fired during the standoff. One handgun was recovered from the scene.
Garfield Heights Police Chief Robert Byrne said the Garfield Heights School District has made counselors available to students and staff at the high school, where Manuel Lopez was a senior.
The school posted the following statement Thursday morning: