Nino Ruiz (L) and Jenessa Kic (R)
SANTA CRUZ — Police have made two arrests in a homicide that occurred on Tuesday morning, August 23, near the levee pathway in the 400 area of Front Street.
Officers responded to the scene after reports of a shooting and found the victim lying on the pathway, having suffered a gunshot wound to his upper torso. Medical attention was administered until medics arrived. Unfortunately, the victim ultimately succumbed to his injury and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Within 4 hours of the shooting, police had identified and detained two suspects, identified as 27-year-old transient Nino Ruiz and 31-year-old Jenessa Kic of Santa Cruz, as they left a residence on Liebrandt Avenue. Ruiz was determined to have been the shooter, while Kic acted as his accomplice. Detectives then served search warrants on several homes Ruiz had visited.
Both suspects have had a long history with law enforcement. Just this month alone, Ruiz has been arrested twice for possession of methamphetamine, in addition to other charges dating back to as early as February. Kic also has past arrests for camping violation and burglary.
So far, the gun used in the shooting has not been recovered.
