Stepfather Dies in Phoenix Shooting Following Family Argument

Police Arrest Son in Connection to the Incident

On Sunday, Phoenix police arrested Jorge Ramirez in connection with the death of his stepfather following a violent family argument that ended in a shooting on the streets of Phoenix. According to court records, the incident occurred on Saturday around 5:30 p.m. near the intersection of 40th Avenue and Hadley Street.

When police arrived at the scene, they discovered a man, later identified as 32-year-old Jose Angel Ruiz Leyva, lying on the street next to his Jeep Cherokee with a gunshot wound. He was transported to Banner University Medical Center but was pronounced dead at 6:12 p.m.

Ruiz Leyva was driving his vehicle with his unnamed wife when the shooting occurred. His wife, who survived the incident, was initially too emotional to provide a statement to the police at the scene.

However, on Sunday, she informed the police that the suspect was her son, Jorge Ramirez, contradicting her earlier statement that the shooting was a result of road rage. Eyewitnesses and security camera footage corroborated her revised statement.

According to the gathered evidence, Ramirez and Ruiz Leyva were driving alongside each other when Ramirez abruptly stopped his vehicle in the middle of the intersection. He then proceeded to fire around five shots through the windshield of Ruiz Leyva’s vehicle before fleeing the scene.

In an attempt to escape, Ruiz Leyva crashed into parked cars on Hadley Street. Still searching for the suspect, the police were informed by Ruiz Leyva’s wife that the shooter was her son, Ramirez. She also revealed that the altercation between the three family members had originated at a relative’s house.

Following this information, the police initiated active surveillance on Ramirez. They eventually tracked him to Guadalupe, where he was arrested without incident. Ramirez’s girlfriend, who was with him during the arrest, informed the police that Ramirez had a history of anger issues and possessed a semi-automatic handgun.

During his interview with the police, Ramirez allegedly confessed to shooting Ruiz Leyva. He claimed that he did so because Ruiz Leyva had been violent towards other family members. Ramirez stated that the gun belonged to his mother and that he took it out of distrust for Ruiz Leyva to possess a firearm.

A subsequent search warrant was executed for Ramirez’s vehicle. Although clothes similar to those worn by the suspect were found, no gun was recovered.

Ramirez has been booked in jail on charges of second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, and discharging a firearm. His bail has been set at $1,000,000, and his next court appearance is scheduled for February 12.

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