Man Already in Jail Charged in Second Murder

Andrew Ruiz already in custody for shooting that left one dead, one injured

 Police have linked a man already in a custody for a West Side murder earlier this year to a shooting that left one man dead and another injured last year.

Andrew Ruiz, 29, of the 2100 block of North Melvina Avenue, has been charged with one count each of first-degree murder and attempted murder.

Ruiz is already in the custody of the Cook County Jail, charged along with Edwin Carrasquillo in the June 15 slaying of 24-year-old Adrian Gates. The two were arrested on the Eisenhower Expressway about a month after the murder.

Both have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Ruiz is now charged in the Nov. 1, 2009 murder of 23-year-old Manuel Roman, police said. The shooting also left a 22-year-old man with serious injuries.

The victims were stopped in their vehicle at a red light on Grand Avenue at Central Park when they were shot. Ruiz was in a vehicle that pulled up alongside the victims' car when he took out a gun and opened fire, police said.

Harrison Area detectives worked to gather leads through various means, including a community alert which featured a sketch of the suspect.

During the investigation, Ruiz was identified as the offender who shot the men and on Thursday, he was charged with the crime.

Police said Ruiz is a convicted felon.

Copyright CHIST - SunTimes
Contact Us