Maria Ruiz, a 42-year-old Hispanic woman from Chicago, IL, tragically lost her life on January 13, 2018. The incident occurred in the parking lot of North Riverside Park Mall, where she was fatally shot by her ex-boyfriend, Honorio Perez. The shooting also resulted in injuries to their 14-year-old daughter. According to reports, Perez had been stalking Maria after their relationship ended, and he obtained a gun in December 2017.
On the day of the incident, Perez confronted Maria and their daughter as they were getting into their car, leading to the fatal shooting.
Following the incident, Honorio Perez was charged with first-degree murder and aggravated battery with a firearm. He was apprehended at a bus stop while attempting to flee to Mexico. Perez appeared in Cook County court in Maywood, where he was denied bail. The case was classified as an isolated domestic incident, highlighting the tragic consequences of domestic violence.
The community rallied to support Maria Ruiz's family, with a GoFundMe page raising thousands of dollars for her funeral expenses. The case drew significant media attention, shedding light on the broader issue of domestic violence and its devastating impact on families. The legal proceedings against Honorio Perez continued, with the charges reflecting the severity of his actions and the loss suffered by Maria Ruiz's family.
