CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: West Seattle gas-station murder suspect turns himself in

10:18 AM: Last week, police circulated those images of a man they say was “involved” in the shooting death of 53-year-old Oton Garcia Ruiz at the Shree’s Truck Stop gas station in southeast West Seattle two weeks ago. Today, they say the 26-year-old suspect is in custody after turning himself in at SPD headquarters downtown. Police allege the deadly shooting was random – that the shots were fired in the gas station “with disregard” for whomever might have been in the bullets’ path. We’re working to find information about the suspect’s background and status.

1:42 PM: The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office says bail was set for the suspect over the weekend, $2 million. Probable-cause documents say the suspect is a warehouse worker in Boulevard Park and co-workers who recognized the images circulated by police called in tips. He is reported to have called in sick from work in the days after the shooting, which police say was preceded by a fight with some other people the suspect had been talking to at the gas station, unrelated to the victim. The shots are reported to have been fired from a car after it left the station, and captured on a truck’s dashcam. The KCPAO says the suspect has no previous felony record in King County. He is not reported to have given any explanation when he turned himself in but he did have injuries, possibly from the fight that preceded the shooting, Deadline to rush-file charges is this Wednesday.

11 Replies to "CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: West Seattle gas-station murder suspect turns himself in"

  • CarDriver October 28, 2024 (10:22 am)

    WSB. As you’re all knowing how common is this for a suspect whose picture has been shown to turn themselves in rather than be found and arrested? Seems to me that it’s quite rare.

    • WSB October 28, 2024 (11:09 am)

      Impossible to find that kind of stat but I can even recall at least one case where a suspect’s mother saw security images and turned in her son.

      • Bradley October 28, 2024 (12:19 pm)

        In the LA Times, over the summer, there was several flash mob takeovers by young teens at 7-11’s where after photos were posted of unmasked kids, their parents turned them in to police stations. Kudos to those parents. 

  • momosmom October 28, 2024 (10:56 am)

    WOW random shooting?!?!?!  Was it to show off to prove he is a “man” WTH where do these random shooters think bullets are going to go, do they think once they leave the barrel they’ll just melt into thin air?! I’m glad he did the right thing and turned himself in and my condolences the innocent victims family and friends.

    • Elton October 28, 2024 (11:44 am)

      It sounds like that’s the police allegation – I don’t know if that’s updated based on what the suspect said in their statement to police?

  • John October 28, 2024 (10:57 am)

    My jaw dropped….    He obviously saw those photos and knew he’d be running the rest of his life.   It’ll be interesting to hear his story of the event.

  • Seattlite October 28, 2024 (12:48 pm)

    Hopefully, the murderer will spend the rest of his life locked up behind bars.  

    • West Seattle Mad Sci Guy October 28, 2024 (6:32 pm)

      I wouldn’t expect life without parole for this. Even in ‘harder on crime than here’ jurisdictions.

      • Seattlite October 29, 2024 (3:11 pm)

        A revolving-door will allow this murderer to be out on the streets to reoffend.  He deserves life in prison with no chance of parole.  Period.  That is my common sense opinion.

    • K October 29, 2024 (3:53 pm)

      He will be sentenced according to the sentencing grid, based on how many points he has at the time of conviction, because the judges are going to follow the law and not the recommendations of random West Seattle Blog commenters.  It’s shocking to me how many “law and order” people seem to really not want the courts to follow the law.

  • 22blades October 29, 2024 (6:52 am)

    I can’t imagine seeing a coworker plastered all over the media for a violent crime. The effect of these crimes is far beyond the victim  & people close to him. Our norms of violence is way too high. He isn’t one of “them”. He’s one of “us”.

Sorry, comment time is over.