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The man accused of shooting Cape Coral police Officer David Wagoner during a traffic stop last month has been charged with one count of attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer by the State Attorney's Office.
The charge against Yousel Lopez Rivera, 20, announced Wednesday, carries a mandatory life sentence.
"We're pleased, number one, that the state chose that option," said Cape police spokesman Lt. Tony Sizemore. "(We're) not surprised because we're confident in the investigative work that our detectives do."
The next step in the process is arraignment, during which Rivera will enter his plea. He is scheduled to be arraigned Monday morning. Rivera is being held without bond in the Lee County Jail.
Rivera is accused of shooting Wagoner three times the morning of April 16 after a car in which he was riding was stopped for an expired tag.
The first two bullets lodged in Wagoner's bulletproof vest while the third entered his abdomen.
After undergoing emergency surgery at Lee Memorial Hospital, Wagoner was released April 21 and has been recovering at home since.
Once police finish their internal review of the incident, which might take a few more weeks, Wagoner will be eligible to return to work on light duty, Sizemore said.
"The medical issue is the biggest concern right now," he said.
