On the night of February 12, 2022, 43-year-old Azul Jade Ruiz was fatally shot inside her home in Socorro, Texas. The incident occurred around 11:40 p.m. when a gunshot was fired through a window, striking Ruiz in the chest. She was rushed to a hospital but tragically succumbed to her injuries.
The investigation revealed that the shooting was linked to a dispute involving teenagers. Carlos Alberto Sifuentes, an 18-year-old from Socorro, was identified as the suspect.
Security cameras captured Sifuentes outside Ruiz's home, "scoping out the house" before allegedly entering the backyard and firing the shot. Sifuentes was arrested the following day and charged with murder. His bond was set at $2 million.
Sifuentes had a history of violent behavior, having been previously convicted of aggravated assault as a juvenile. Despite his lawyer's request to lower the bond, citing his age and employment in construction, the prosecution argued against it due to the seriousness of the offense.
The case remains an active investigation, with the El Paso County Sheriff's Office continuing to gather evidence and build their case against Sifuentes. The tragic death of Azul Jade Ruiz has left her family and the community in mourning, as they seek justice for her untimely passing.
