In the East New York neighborhood of Brooklyn, a beloved 30-year-old construction worker, Ronnie Ortiz, was fatally shot on September 14, 2022, while taking his lunch break. The incident occurred under an awning at the Boulevard Houses. Ortiz, an electrician, was a cherished member of his community, known for his passion for baseball and as a great teammate.
The senseless act of violence left his family, including his father Ronnie Ortiz Sr. and mother Carmen Mendoza, seeking justice.
In the wake of his death, the community came together to honor his memory. A candlelight vigil was held, and a memorial was created next to the baseball field where he often played at McCarren Park. There have also been efforts to rename the field in his honor, an initiative supported by local officials.
An investigation into the shooting led to the arrest of a suspect. Shamar Wiltshire, 22, was apprehended in Georgia in connection with the murder. It is alleged that Wiltshire got out of a car and shot Ortiz. While an arrest has been made, the motive for the shooting has not been publicly revealed.
The community continues to remember Ronnie Ortiz Jr. through events like a children's baseball and softball clinic organized in his name. His friends and family remember him as a young, energetic, and good-looking man who was a pillar of his community, and his absence is deeply felt.
