Deadly Chase Ends—Bail Yanked In Court

A judge yanked bail and kept a double-murder suspect in lockup after a deadly Pomona shooting and a multi-county police chase.

Story Highlights

Prosecutors charged Robert Galtman with two counts of murder and evading police.
Special circumstance of multiple murders could bring a death sentence if pursued.
A judge revoked bail after Galtman appeared in court wearing a suicide-prevention gown.
Police say the victims were Veronica Lopez, 24, and neighbor Richard Brady, 48.

Charges Filed After Pomona Double Homicide

Los Angeles County prosecutors charged 48-year-old Robert Galtman with two counts of murder and one count of evading police after a deadly shooting at a Pomona apartment building. Court records state the charges include a special circumstance for multiple murders, which allows a possible death penalty if the case meets legal standards and prosecutors choose to seek it. Prosecutors also alleged a firearm was personally used, causing great bodily injury, which can add significant prison time if proven.

Police identified the victims as Veronica Lopez, 24, a former professional skateboarder, and her 48-year-old neighbor, Richard Brady. Officers say they found both with gunshot wounds around 3:20 p.m., and they were pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators say Galtman fled in a black Kia sedan shortly after the shooting, prompting an immediate search across major Southern California freeways.

Multi-County Pursuit Ends With Arrest

California Highway Patrol units and local officers tracked the suspect vehicle on the northbound Golden State Freeway into Kern County. Officers used spike strips and a pursuit intervention maneuver to stop the car safely after nearly two hours on the road. Authorities took Galtman into custody Thursday evening and transferred him back to Pomona police for booking. Jail records initially listed bail above $3 million before later court action changed his status.

News cameras and aerial units captured parts of the pursuit and arrest. Officials described careful tactics to end the chase at lower speeds and reduce risk to drivers and officers. The quick coordination across agencies showed how police respond when a homicide suspect flees across county lines. That response protected the public and prevented more harm, while keeping the case intact for prosecutors and the court process to follow.

Courtroom Action: Bail Revoked, Arraignment Delayed

Galtman appeared in a Pomona courtroom wearing a suicide-prevention gown as the judge ordered him held without bail. Reporters noted the court delayed his arraignment to allow time for counsel and case preparation. The bail revocation underscored the court’s view of public safety risk and flight risk after a freeway chase that stretched across multiple jurisdictions. Prosecutors now proceed under a special-circumstance filing for multiple murders.

Families and neighbors continue to grieve as investigators build the case. Police have not publicly released a motive. In cases like this, prosecutors often rely on a web of circumstantial facts such as flight, prior conduct, and physical evidence that may not include an eyewitness. California jury instructions allow convictions based on circumstantial evidence if the only reasonable conclusion points to guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Why This Case Matters for Law and Order

Residents in high-crime corridors want swift, certain justice when violent offenders strike. Police moved fast, used clear tactics, and made the arrest without more loss of life. The special-circumstance filing signals serious intent to hold the accused fully accountable if the evidence meets the standard. That approach honors the victims and defends safe neighborhoods, while the court process preserves the presumption of innocence and the right to counsel.

This case also highlights a frequent reality in domestic violence homicides. Shootings often happen indoors, and no one sees the trigger pulled. California law treats direct and circumstantial proof equally, but it demands that each link in the chain be proven and that guilt be the only reasonable reading of the facts. Jurors will weigh flight from the scene, the alleged use of a gun, and any forensic leads that emerge as the case advances.