Hobbs police announce arrests, new details after deadly Walmart parking lot shooting
Hobbs police on Friday released more details about a deadly shooting in a Walmart parking lot early Thursday morning, and the arrest of three suspects following a high-speed chase later in West Texas.
Just after 2 a.m. Thursday, officers with the Hobbs Police Department responded to Walmart in the 3800 block of North Lovington Hwy. in reference to person who had been shot, according to a statement from Hobbs police. Upon arrival, officers located the man, 24-year-old Jordan Ruiz in the parking lot suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Surveillance images show Ruiz was shot in his vehicle in the Walmart parking lot.
Hobbs EMS arrived on scene and the man was taken to Covenant Hobbs Hospital, where he later died. A preliminary investigation possibly reveals that this is not a random act of violence and the suspect may have known the victim, according to statement from police on Thursday.
On Friday, police confirmed detectives were able to review surveillance footage of the area and were able to obtain a license plate on the vehicle driven by the suspects, which was stolen out of Hobbs, according to a statement from Hobbs police.Later Thursday afternoon, a “BOLO” (be on look-out) was given to surrounding agencies for the vehicle. Deputies with the Reeves County Sheriff’s Office in Texas located the vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The vehicle fled from deputies and a pursuit ensued, with speeds reaching up to 111 mph, according to Hobbs police.Deputies were eventually able to stop the vehicle without further incident and all three suspects were arrested, including one 18-year-old male and two juveniles. The 18-year-old was identified as Zachary Baiza of Hobbs. Investigators believe he was the driver of the vehicle, and is being charged with accessory to first degree murder, among other charges in New Mexico and Texas. The name of the accused shooter and the other juvenile were not immediately released due to their ages, according to police. The shooting suspect is also a suspect in an unrelated attempted robbery at a nearby McDonald's shortly before the shooting. Investigators believe he approached the drive-thru window at the McDonald's on Lovington Highway and displayed a handgun, but nobody approached the window. Employees apparently didn't realize what had happened until after reviewing surveillance video.
After the attempted robbery, investigators believe the shooter re-entered his vehicle and circled the Walmart parking lot several times before approaching Ruiz in his vehicle and shooting him. It was not immediately clear what prompted that violence.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about this shooting or other crimes can report information by calling dispatch at (575)397-9265, or contacting Lea County Crime Stoppers at (575) 393-8005 (you may be eligible for a cash reward).
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Hobbs police announce arrests, new details after deadly shooting
