2 Charged In Fatal Shooting Near Convenience Store: Sheriff

SARASOTA, FL — Two men, including a convicted felon, have been charged in connection with a fatal shooting that happened in front of a Sarasota convenience store Sunday afternoon, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

Around 4 p.m. Sunday, gunshots were reported in front of the Day Night Convenience Store at 3250 Desoto Road. When deputies arrived, they found a man dead on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds to his arm, chest and head, the sheriff’s office said.

Witnesses said that several people were arguing in the parking lot when the shots were fired. Deputies searched the area for the vehicles and suspects involved in the shooting but couldn’t find them.

Detectives obtained security footage from the convenience store showing the victim in a verbal confrontation with 31-year-old Nichole Vasquez just minutes prior to the shooting, the sheriff’s office said.

In the video, the victim, who is not being identified under Marsy’s Law protections, is seen holding a pocketknife knife behind his back while arguing with Vasquez, SCSO said. A male suspect, later identified as 37-year-old Roberto Ruiz, Jr., is seen in the video approaching Vasquez in an effort to guard her against the victim.

Moments later, 20-year-old Rafael Gonzalez is seen in the video footage carrying a handgun and engaging in the argument. As the confrontation escalates, Gonzalez is seen firing the gun, shooting the victim several times. When the victims went to the side of the building, Gonzalez followed him, firing the gun again, and shooting him in the chest and head, the sheriff’s office said.

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Video surveillance captured a silver Grand Marquis, driven by Ruiz, driving away from the scene, while Vasquez follows in a black Mercedes. During their investigation, detectives determined both Ruiz and Gonzalez are known associates of Vasquez, and the three were likely at the convenience store for a drug deal, the sheriff’s office said.

Deputies worked with the Sarasota Police Department to locate Ruiz in Sarasota, where he lives, Tuesday. Just after noon, in an attempt to avoid arrest, Ruiz crashed his vehicle near the intersection of Fruitville Road and East Avenue. He ran away on foot after the crash, but deputies quickly took him into custody, the sheriff’s office said.

On Thursday, detectives issued a warrant for Gonzalez, who lives in Dover, Florida. Just after 9:30 a.m. Friday morning, Gonzalez was located in Dover and taken into custody by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. At the time of his arrest, Gonzalez was wearing the same shirt he wore during the shooting, SCSO said.

Gonzalez was charged with second-degree murder and will remain in the custody of Hillsborough County officials until he is extradited to Sarasota County.

Ruiz was charged with principal to second-degree murder and remains in Sarasota County custody without bond. He has prior felony convictions for armed burglary, grand theft of a firearm and willful fleeing to elude.

Vasquez of Wauchula is in custody in Manatee County Jail on unrelated charges, including two counts of aggravated child abuse, fleeing to elude, resisting an officer without violence, failure to remain at a crash involving great bodily harm and driving while license suspended.

The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are pending, the sheriff’s office said.