On May 15, 2021, 28-year-old Hispanic female Leslie Ruiz-Basilio was tragically shot and killed during a robbery at the Metro by T-Mobile store where she worked in Elsmere, Delaware. The incident occurred in broad daylight, and police reported that the suspect arrived on a blue bicycle, entered the store, and fatally shot Leslie Ruiz-Basilio before fleeing the scene in her 2008 Cadillac Escalade.
The victim, a mother of two and a longtime employee of the store, had previously endured multiple robberies at her workplace but had continued working, believing she posed no threat to anyone.
The community was shaken by the loss of the 28-year-old Hispanic woman, and a memorial of flowers and candles quickly formed outside the store. Her grieving mother, Celia Basilio, expressed deep sorrow and called for justice, stating that her daughter was her happiness and that the crime was senseless and unfair. Friends and customers who knew Leslie Ruiz-Basilio through her work also gathered to mourn, sharing memories of her kindness and dedication.
Following the murder, authorities launched an intensive investigation and eventually identified 39-year-old Keith Gibson as the suspect. Gibson was already under scrutiny for a series of violent crimes in both Delaware and Pennsylvania. He was indicted on 41 felony charges, including the murder of Leslie Ruiz-Basilio. According to prosecutors, Gibson shot and killed the 28-year-old Hispanic female during the robbery and then stole her vehicle. His crime spree also included the murder of his own mother in Philadelphia earlier that year, as well as additional killings and assaults.
Keith Gibson had a long criminal history, including a 2010 conviction for manslaughter and firearm possession. After being released from prison in 2020, he violated probation and was briefly re-incarcerated. His arrest in June 2021 came after another armed robbery, and law enforcement officials praised the officers who apprehended him, emphasizing the danger he posed to public safety. Gibson remains in custody in Delaware, facing charges for multiple murders, including that of 28-year-old Hispanic female Leslie Ruiz-Basilio.
