Andrew Ortiz, a 28-year-old resident of San Jose, California, was tragically found dead on December 5, 2017. His body was discovered in the parking lot of Mount Pleasant High School with a fatal gunshot wound. The discovery was made by school staff around 7 a.m., and Ortiz was identified through fingerprint verification. Ortiz, a father of newborn twin girls and two older sons, had been battling a methamphetamine addiction and had a history of incarceration.
His family, who had recently lost their mother to brain cancer, was devastated by his untimely death.
Despite his struggles, Ortiz was remembered fondly by his sister, Angie Ortiz, who described him as a big dreamer who wanted to provide a bright future for his children. Ortiz had no known connection to the high school where his body was found, and the circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear. The San Jose Police Department has not identified any suspects or made any arrests in connection with the case. Ortiz's death marked the 31st homicide in San Jose for the year 2017, highlighting the ongoing issue of violent crime in the area.
The investigation into Ortiz's death is ongoing, with his family seeking answers and justice. Ortiz's father planned to travel from Spokane to San Jose to meet with investigators and assist in any way possible. The lack of leads and the absence of a clear motive have made the case particularly challenging for law enforcement. Ortiz's family continues to mourn his loss while hoping for a resolution that will bring them some measure of peace.
