Colorado Springs police arrested Anthony Lopez, 44, for attempted first-degree murder after allegedly shooting at a Safeway employee who called him a “scumbag” for shoplifting on Dec. 17.

Lopez had exited the store off North Powers Boulevard and Constitution Avenue through the south fire exit with about $1,000 in merchandise when the employee drove by while off duty, according to court records obtained by The Gazette.

“Shortly thereafter,” the Safeway employee heard a gunshot and his rear window shattered. A female allegedly yelled to Lopez, “Don’t be stupid, you’re gonna get arrested again,” the victim recounted to police.

The bullet that traveled through the victim’s vehicle clipped the top of the rear passenger headrest before becoming lodged in a pillar on that side, according to court documents.

Police identified Lopez by matching Safeway surveillance video with body camera footage of his arrest for possessing an explosive device Aug. 7.

Court documents describe Lopez as an active Los Flamingos Varrio gang member who has been convicted of multiple crimes including possession of a weapon by a previous offender, assault with a deadly weapon, harassment and assault against an at-risk person from 2003 to 2021.

In this case, Lopez is charged with first-degree attempted murder with extreme indifference, possession of weapons by a previous offender, use of a weapon in a violent crime and theft of $1,000 to $2,000.

As of Monday afternoon, he had not posted his $250,000 bond since being arrested Jan. 27. His preliminary hearing in an El Paso County courtroom is scheduled Feb. 25.

Lopez’s other open case is for the incendiary device arrest in August, in which he is facing charges of possessing the device, driving under restraint, and driving without insurance and registration. A trial in that case begins Feb. 17.

No mugshot of Lopez has been provided by Colorado Springs police.