Family turns to public for leads in store shooting
Oct 24, 2012, 6:55 AM | Updated: 6:55 am
Family members of 18-year-old Jose Ruiz are reaching out to the community in hopes someone might have information that will lead investigators to his killers.
“I can’t accept the fact that he’s no longer with us. It’s sad to see his room the way he left it,” said Gabriela Ruiz, the young man’s sister.
Phoenix police responded to the Boost Mobile store at 6115 S. 51st Ave. on Saturday night after getting a call from a woman who found the door open, walked in and found no one inside.
Police found Ruiz behind the counter dead from an apparent gunshot wound. Robbery is believed to the motive.
“I do feel hate inside of me because he took of piece of me away,” said Gabriela Ruiz, adding that she hopes someone will come forward and help solve her little brother’s murder.
Phoenix Police Chief Daniel Garcia has vowed to find the person or persons responsible for this crime.
“This is a tragic event. This was a man, 18 years of age, that had a tremendous future in front of him and it really touches our heart. We want to bring some closure for this family,” Garcia said.
Family members said Ruiz was working two jobs to save up for college and had aspirations to be a police officer.
An account has been set up by the family to help with funeral cost at Chase Bank. The account is in Jose’s sister’s name, Maria Ruiz. The account number is 951197599.
Meanwhile, anyone with information about this crime is being asked to call the Phoenix Police Department’s Violent Crimes Bureau at (602) 262-6141 or Silent Witness at (480) WITNESS.
KTAR’s Christina Ellis contributed to this report.
