On the night of May 18, 2023, a 24-year-old Hispanic male named Jordan Ruiz was tragically killed in Hobbs, New Mexico. An employee at a local Walmart, Ruiz was taking his lunch break during his overnight shift when the fatal encounter occurred. He was shot inside his truck in the store's parking lot and was later pronounced dead at Covenant Health Hobbs Hospital.
The events leading to Ruiz's death began to unfold earlier in the evening.
The individuals later identified as the suspects had allegedly been involved in other criminal activities, including the theft of a wallet from an IHOP and an attempted armed robbery at a McDonald's drive-thru just minutes before the shooting at Walmart. After the failed attempt at McDonald's, the suspects drove to the nearby Walmart parking lot, where they appeared to be looking for a vehicle to steal. They circled the parking lot before stopping near Jordan Ruiz's truck.
Following the shooting, an investigation was launched by the Hobbs Police Department. Surveillance footage from the area proved crucial in identifying the suspects' vehicle, which was reported as stolen. This information was shared with surrounding law enforcement agencies, leading to the vehicle being spotted by deputies from the Reeves County Sheriff's Office in Texas. A high-speed chase ensued, spanning 111 miles across three Texas counties before the suspects were apprehended.
Three individuals were arrested in connection with the murder of Jordan Ruiz. The shooter was identified as Rey Ochoa-Ruiz, who was a juvenile at the time of the incident. The driver of the stolen vehicle was 18-year-old Zachary Baiza, and a 16-year-old female was also taken into custody. Baiza was charged with being an accessory to murder and armed robbery, among other charges. The female juvenile did not face any immediate charges.
In October 2024, Rey Ochoa-Ruiz stood trial for the murder of Jordan Ruiz. A Lea County jury found him guilty of second-degree murder and attempt to commit armed robbery. The prosecution presented evidence that included surveillance footage from the McDonald's and the Walmart parking lot. The motive for the attack was determined to be an attempt to steal Ruiz's truck. Following his conviction, Ochoa-Ruiz faced a significant prison sentence, with a separate hearing to be held to decide if he would be sentenced as an adult or a juvenile.
