LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The man who shot and killed a Louisville photographer during protests more than three years ago in Jefferson Square Park will spend decades behind bars.

It was an emotional day in the courtroom for many as Steven Lopez was sentenced Tuesday to 30 years in prison. He pleaded guilty last month to manslaughter in the death of 27-year-old Tyler Gerth and to more than 20 counts of wanton endangerment.

Unfolding a piece of paper with this statement written on it, Lopez stood during his sentencing and said the shooting should have never happened.

"I cannot find enough words to convey how sorry I am," Lopez said. "Truly, from the bottom of my heart, I am sorry."

There is video from that night. Witnesses told police they saw Lopez fire multiple shots into the crowd. The video showed people running from the square, hiding behind bushes and buildings and diving behind vehicles to avoid gunfire.

"Tyler was an innocent man, and I think back to how I must have scared and terrified so many people that day," Lopez said in court Tuesday. "And to these people, I must apologize, too. I am so sorry to them, and, above all, the Gerth family."

In court Tuesday, Lopez called the day Gerth died tragic, and said he was not himself. 

"I'd been homeless living in the streets, indulging in drugs that made me perceive a reality that was not real," Lopez said. "I was hallucinating and I was not in my right mind. If only I could've had the support I needed to turn my life around, I would've never went through this psychotic episode that led me to think irrational thoughts that I was being followed and people were trying to kill me. I would never had took an armed man's gun. Tyler would be here today. This is no way an excuse but understand that I'm not the kind of person that would want to take a life."

He said he hopes the Gerth family will reach out to him so he can learn more about the kind of person Tyler Gerth was.

"I hope to prove to this family that I am truly sorry and I want to earn their forgiveness," he said. "I will forever remember the name Tyler Gerth and do everything I can to live up to the man he was. I hope that he would've forgiven me as well."

TYLER GERTH SISTERS AFTER SENTENCING FOR STEVEN LOPEZ 2-13-2024.jpeg

Tyler Gerth's sister, Brittany Loewen speaks after Steven Lopez's sentencing. (WDRB photo) 

Loved ones of Gerth in the courtroom included his sisters, Brittany Loewen and Tiffany Hensley. They spoke on behalf of themselves and their parents, and Loewen also read two statements that were pictures with captions drawn by two of her children. 

"You took my baby brother and my parents' only son," Hensley said. "And, because of that, my heart is forever broken. But you have to carry that with you. You have to carry the guilt of choosing to be reckless and cruel and putting the lives of so many others in danger and killing the most kind and gentle soul."

They said their brother was kind, generous and went to the park that day to take photographs.

"In the next weeks, months and now years to follow, I had to witness my mom and dad in the most destructive event a parent could go through: losing a child — and in such a catastrophic way," Hensley said. 

Loewen said while there will never fully be closure, she's relieved this part is over. But still said her family will have a life sentence without Tyler in their lives.

"I pray you are inspired by the man you stole from us and that you learn to be more like him," Loewen said in her statement. "But, most of all, I pray that God intervenes in your life and that he redeems it. I truly believe that it's what Tyler would have wanted."

After the sentencing, Loewen said there will never truly be closure but she was grateful for the opportunity to speak. She also said Lopez's apology was "meaningful." 

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Pictured: Tyler Gerth, who was shot and killed in Jefferson Square Park in downtown Louisville, Ky., on June 26, 2020, while covering racial justice protests. (Source: family photo)

"I hope that it was sincere and that he is truly remorseful and I hope that he heard my words, that I want him to know who Tyler was and that hopefully Tyler can be an inspiration to him to make the most of his opportunity," she said. "Because his life didn't end that day."

Loewen said because of her faith, she is choosing to forgive Lopez.

"It is a choice. Forgiveness is a choice," she said. "It's not something that is natural, but my faith teaches me that forgiveness is possible. Jesus forgave all of us, and I truly believe in the power of forgiveness. And so even on days when I don't want to, I will choose to forgive him and I will choose to want the best for him and his life."

At the end of the hearing, Judge Sarah Clay sentenced Lopez to 30 years.

The Tyler Gerth Foundation was started in Gerth's memory with the goal of creating a more equitable world. To find out more, visit BuildingEqualBridges.com. 

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