CHICAGO — The family of a Garfield Ridge woman who was shot and killed near her home on Sunday believes her ex-boyfriend was the one who pulled the trigger.

Adriana Lopez spent the last three years teaching special education at Nathan Davis Elementary School in Brighton Park. She aspired to be a principal.

Her niece, Michelle Martinez, said Lopez feared for her safety and filed an order of protection against her ex-boyfriend, 37-year-old Cristobal Santana, last month after an argument turned physical. According to Martinez, the filing was recently dismissed for reasons unknown.

According to the Chicago Police Department, Adriana Lopez was shot and killed just steps away from her home near 54th Street and Narragansett Avenue in Garfield Ridge around 9:30 p.m. on Sunday. She was reportedly approached by a man she knew in a dark-colored SUV and shot at least 10 times. 

The Lopez family believe Santana waited on the block where Adriana lived until she got home and shot her multiple times. They also said a few days after he killed her, Santana had an altercation with an Illinois State Trooper in Springfield.

Santana was arrested in Springfield Tuesday night after authorities say he shot an Illinois State Police trooper in the leg about 10:45 p.m. Tuesday.

According to authorities, the trooper approached Santana’s vehicle about 10:45 p.m. Tuesday, state police said. Santana exited his vehicle and “proceeded to discharge multiple rounds of ammunition in the direction of” the trooper, according to a petition filed with the court.

When Santana’s gun became inoperable he began to beat the trooper in the head and face, the petition continued.

Santana fled but was captured about 2 a.m. Wednesday during a search by officers from multiple law enforcement agencies. He was hospitalized for injuries suffered during his arrest.

The trooper was shot at least twice in the leg and suffered severe head injuries. His in-car camera and surveillance video from a nearby apartment complex recorded the attack, according to the petition.

Santana has been charged with two counts of attempted first degree murder, aggravated battery, and unlawful use of a weapon for the Springfield incident. He faces 45 years to life if found guilty and will appear again in court on Nov. 9.

Cristobal Santana has not been charged in connection to Adriana Lopez’s death.