Man Shot Sunday in Santa Maria is Arrested

SANTA MARIA – A man who knocked on a homeowner’s door in the area of North Oakley on Sunday evening, brandishing a gun and threatening those inside the residence, was arrested on Tuesday, December 11.

Feliciano Diaz

Officers were called to the 400 block of North Oakley on Sunday evening after receiving a 9-1-1 call of shots fired. During the course of the investigation, a 31-year-old man was found in the 200 block of Varner Court suffering from gunshot wounds to his thumb and upper torso, police said.

The man, Feliciano Ruiz, was shot by the homeowner, who was also armed with a gun.

Ruiz was taken to Marian Medical Center in Santa Maria and later transferred to Santa Barbara’s Cottage Hospital, where he was treated for his wounds and later released. He was arrested by detectives just after 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday and booked at the main jail.

Police don’t believe Sunday’s shooting was gang-related and there was no pre-existing dispute between the homeowner and Ruiz, officials said.

The case will be forwarded to the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office for review.

Read More:

Santa Maria Times: Man Shot in Weekend Dispute Arrested

KSBY: Man Facing Charges After Santa Maria Shooting Sunday Night