Esteban Arrufatt Jr., a 24-year-old White / Caucasian man, was remembered for a personality that could light up any room. Born on February 25, 2000, in New Britain, Connecticut, he was the son of Esteban Arrufatt Sr. and Nancy Morales. He grew up in Waterbury, where he attended local schools and graduated from Crosby High School. A lover of sports, particularly basketball, Esteban was described as funny, ambitious, selfless, loving, and caring.
In November 2024, Arrufatt was in Miami, Florida. On November 4, he was arrested in Miami-Dade County on a battery charge and was subsequently released on a $1,000 bond. A little over two weeks later, just before 1 a.m. on Wednesday, November 20, Arrufatt was standing outside in the South Miami Heights neighborhood.
According to Miami-Dade police, a vehicle drove by in the 19300 block of Southwest 116th Avenue, and an occupant opened fire, striking him.
Paramedics rushed Arrufatt to Jackson South Medical Center in critical condition, but he was later pronounced dead. The Miami-Dade Police Department launched a homicide investigation into the drive-by shooting.
In January 2025, authorities arrested two suspects in connection with Esteban Arrufatt Jr.'s death. The case is now proceeding through the legal system. He is survived by his parents, his sister Natasha Arrufatt, his maternal grandmother Rosa Pagan, his nieces Amelia and A’Miley, and numerous other relatives.
