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Man Who Murdered Teen Spared Woman's Son After Her Pleas: Prosecutors

By Erin Meyer | April 23, 2013 4:10pm
 Martin Ruiz, 24, is charged in the 2012 murder of 15-year-old Jaime Ruvalcaba, according to authorities. Police found him recently in Los Angeles. 
Martin Ruiz, 24, is charged in the 2012 murder of 15-year-old Jaime Ruvalcaba, according to authorities. Police found him recently in Los Angeles. 
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Cook County Sheriffs Department

COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE — A man charged in the slaying of a Back of the Yards teen in 2012 allegedly threatened to kill someone else minutes before he gunned down Jaime Ruvalcaba, prosecutors said.

Martin Ruiz, 24, is accused of killing Ruvalcaba, 15, on Aug. 21, the day before his 16th birthday, in the 4600 block of South Wolcott Avenue. Police found Ruiz in California, where he allegedly fled at some point after the shooting.

"Just minutes before the shooting, a mother and son were sitting in their vehicle when [Ruiz] approached the car and pointed a gun at the head of the young man," Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Jacqueline Kwilos said Tuesday. "His mother pled for his life and [Ruiz] told the young man it was his lucky day."

Ruiz, formerly of the 4700 block of South Loomis Avenue, was then captured on surveillance video getting out of a Chrysler with a gun in his hand, Kwilos said. He rounded a corner and then shot Ruvalcaba, prosecutors said.

Multiple witnesses also heard gun shots and saw Ruiz running from the scene, prosecutors said. Police later found Ruiz's fingerprints in the Chrysler he allegedly used as a getaway car.

Police officers with the gang investigation unit recognized him from the video, prosecutors said.

Ruiz allegedly tried to hide out in California, but Los Angeles police found him and extradited him to face charges in Illinois.

Prosecutors offered no motive for either the first incident or the murder.

Cook County Judge Israel Desierto ordered Ruiz held without bail to await trial.