Jimmy Buffett Kills a Man with 'Margaritaville'

By Tim Elfrink Tue., Jan. 6 2009 at 10:05 AM

Categories: News

The patron saint of Key West killed a man last night.

Police in Steamboat Springs, Colorado say two men snapped and beat a 37-year-old Army sergeant to death after he played Jimmy Buffett's insufferable classic on the jukebox.

A Steamboat Springs police official told the Denver Post that Sgt. 1st Class Richard Lopez "was obviously enjoying the song, and that upset the two other patrons." A fistfight spilled out into the street, and Lopez was killed.

-- Tim Elfrink

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I agree, I feel this is Tim Elfrink way of just saying he dislikes Jimmy(which who by the is my personal hero!) Jimmy is awesome. I think it's tragic that this man had to die, even if it had NOTHING to do with the song. Either why weather it did or didn't it's tragic. In no way was this funny Tim, even if you yourself say you were only making fun of Jimmy, look, like him or not I dont care, but show the singer some respect at least. I'm sure Jimmy wouldn't want anything to every happen to any of his fans. And it's terrible to make it seem like his fault because in your opinion his music sucks. Not everyone feels that way. I don't. Apparently Sgt. Lopez didn't. So in memory of Sgt. Lopez....FINS UP!!!!May God bless you and your family.
Jim, I love Jimmy Buffet To Now I can't get the songs out of my head... "Stepped on a Pop Top Blew out my Flip Flop"
Everyone should stop and wait. I am the Personal Reprentative of Richie's Estate. Richie was a son to me since my two boys were with him when this occurred and was their best friend. No one seems to know the whole story here. Yes, Buffet songs were the beginning of this tragic event. If I were you, I would wait to see what occurs after the trial of the two Miami men is over and the swore testimony becomes a matter of public record. Then your comments may be relevent. Dane Mottlau
Everyone should stop and wait. I am the Personal Reprentative of Richie's Estate. Richie was a son to me since he was my two boys were with him when this occurred and was their best friend. No one seems to know the whole story here. Yes, Buffet songs were the beginning of this tragic event. If I were you, I would wait to see what occurred after the trial of the two Miami men is over and the swore testimony becomes a matter of public record. Then your comments may be relevent. Dane Mottlau
Richard was my 1st cousin from my mom's side. It blows he passed away with this bar fight nonsense, especially over a stupid song or jukebox. Last I spoke to him he was on recovery leave from a Afghan War wound and was based in Florida. Deat is no joke and we all like to poke fun for weird moments, but as far as this song goes..its forever going to be tarnished with his passing even though I love the song. Peace
Richard was my 1st cousin from my mom's side. It blows he passed away with this bar fight nonsense, especially over a stupid song or jukebox. Last I spoke to him he was on recovery leave from a Afghan War wound and was based in Florida. Deat is no joke and we all like to poke fun for weird moments, but as far as this song goes..its forever going to be tarnished with his passing even though I love the song. Peace
Sgt.1st Class Richard Lopez was one of my beloved Special Forces Operators. Having shed our blood on foreign soil in defense of this nation to suddenly lose your life in a two bit bar, at the hands of drunken Americans... I am so aggrieve over the senseless murder of this brave, selfless Green Beret, just leaves me beside myself in total sorrow and tears. I wish I could have been there with him to get him back home safely....Richard I am so sorry my friend. May God be with you and your family.
"Almost" feeling sorry for the people who did this? Come on. Mistake? Bull. Rich's son is 17 by the way.Feel sorry for him because he saw his father in very bad condition and now has to live without him.To laern more about what a dedicated soldier SFC Richard Lopez was visit Shadowspear operations and enter his name. God bless all of you who care.
One of the camps in Iraq has been named mortaritaville so perhaps the Sgt was remembering his time with his comrades in country. As far as the author is concerned, it seems he is using a tragic death to spout his dislike for Buffett's beach music. What type of music does the author like to listen to? Should we find another unfortunate soldiers death to make smarmy comments about hip-hip or young country of heavy metal. Give an Idiot a pen........
One of the camps in Iraq has been named mortaritaville so perhaps the Sgt was remembering his time with his comrades in country. As far as the author is concerned, it seems he is using a tragic death to spout his dislike for Buffett's beach music. What type of music does the author like to listen to? Should we find another unfortunate soldiers death to make smarmy comments about hip-hip or young country of heavy metal. Give an Idiot a pen........
SINCE SGT. LOPEZ WAS A GREEN BERET, I WOULD HAVE HOPED THAT HE WAS THE ONE THAT MOPPED UP THE FLOOR WITH THESE IDIOTS. A WELL TRAINED SOLDIER IS GONE BECAUSE OF A COUPLE OF DRUNKS. FOR THOSE WHO POKE FUN AT JIMMY BUFFET'S MUSIC, PERHAPS YOU SHOULD GET PAST THE HITS AND LISTEN TO SOME OF HIS BETTER TUNES. THERE ARE A LOT OF PARROT HEADS IN THIS COUNTRY.
SINCE SGT. LOPEZ WAS A GREEN BERET, I WOULD HAVE HOPED THAT HE WAS THE ONE THAT MOPPED UP THE FLOOR WITH THESE IDIOTS. A WELL TRAINED SOLDIER IS GONE BECAUSE OF A COUPLE OF DRUNKS. FOR THOSE WHO POKE FUN AT JIMMY BUFFET'S MUSIC, PERHAPS YOU SHOULD GET PAST THE HITS AND LISTEN TO SOME OF HIS BETTER TUNES. THERE ARE A LOT OF PARROT HEADS IN THIS COUNTRY.
SINCE SGT. LOPEZ WAS A GREEN BERET, I WOULD HAVE HOPED THAT HE WAS THE ONE THAT MOPPED UP THE FLOOR WITH THESE IDIOTS. A WELL TRAINED SOLDIER IS GONE BECAUSE OF A COUPLE OF DRUNKS. FOR THOSE WHO POKE FUN AT JIMMY BUFFET'S MUSIC, PERHAPS YOU SHOULD GET PAST THE HITS AND LISTEN TO SOME OF HIS BETTER TUNES. THERE ARE A LOT OF PARROT HEADS IN THIS COUNTRY.
SINCE SGT. LOPEZ WAS A GREEN BERET, I WOULD HAVE HOPED THAT HE WAS THE ONE THAT MOPPED UP THE FLOOR WITH THESE IDIOTS. A WELL TRAINED SOLDIER IS GONE BECAUSE OF A COUPLE OF DRUNKS. FOR THOSE WHO POKE FUN AT JIMMY BUFFET'S MUSIC, PERHAPS YOU SHOULD GET PAST THE HITS AND LISTEN TO SOME OF HIS BETTER TUNES. THERE ARE A LOT OF PARROT HEADS IN THIS COUNTRY.
Well, apparently the author and editorial staff has realized what a piece of Grade A yellow journalism the original story was. Sadly instead of issuing an apology and correction for their decision to run a story they have chosen to use the miracle of modern electronic communications and just make the story go away. For those who are reading this for the first time please note that the short article by Tim Elfrink now appearing on this page has been substantially edited from the one that most of the respondents were commenting on. The original started with: "This was pretty much bound to happen eventually, right? How many times, in truth, can the innocent, god-loving patrons of America's bars be expected to ..." As for the last call to �lay off�, it seems that you speak for the family. My heart does go out to the families of all involved in the death of SFC Lopez. There will indeed be enough grief to go around for everyone. However, I cannot ignore the callous way that the Miami New Times and Tim Elfrink used the death merely to create an eye catching headline. Sorry, but I�m just not the guy to let the death of anyone to be considered so lightly just �to make fun of Jimmy Buffet and his terrible music�. I have to agree that something more than �apologies all around� is needed from both the author and the editorial staff that ran the original story and then decided to just do a quick cover up.
Lay off everyone. Richie is gone. He has a 16 year old son that has to cope now. No need to gang up on the journalist that wrote this. No one in the family cares that a joke was made.... the act (bar fight) that caused this was much more assinine than the story. It was a horrible mistake and at this point I almost feel very sorry for the families of the 3 guys in Miami that were involved. They do not know what they are in for. Extensive prison time for a thoughtless 15 minute act.... I just hope they don't have kids. Think next time you want to smart off and release some drunken aggresion on someone in a bar at night when you should be at home.... that is the best way you can honor Richie.
Mr. Elfrink: As a professional associate of SFC Lopez I find it appauling you found time in your life to develop such a long well written, though thoroughly disgusting, article. I know its not entirely your fault though. Your editors are equally responsible as your content must pass their scruitny before the press is released. I would think it is hardly much to ask for a well developed apology in an overt placement in your press tomorrow morning. Respect and reputations take years to earn but only a moment to tarnish as true professionals know. The ball is in your court if you'd like to salvage yours.
He was a Sergeant First Class in the US Army Green Berets.
Bill, Randy and Anon: My intent was to make fun of Jimmy Buffet and his terrible music, not Sgt. Lopez or his service to our country. Apologies all around if that didn't come through. Tim
Real funny article you wrote about the service member being killed in Steamboat, I'm sure his family members will enjoy reading that, as will Jimmy Buffet. Do journalist know no boundaries? Anything is free game right?...as long as it's not your family member.
Yeah, good job Tim, make fun of a dead soldier killed by a couple of drunks. Way to go.
I think it is in extremely poor taste for Mr. Elfrink to make light of Richard Lopez' death. The family would surely not think it is funny at all.