3 suspects arrested in deadly shooting of Bolivar HS student

BOLIVAR, Tenn. — After a high school senior is shot and killed at his place of employment, Bolivar police have been working around the clock to find out who’s responsible.

At first there were two arrests, but the number has risen to three suspects in custody. Two of the three are juveniles, but the third is an 18-year-old who was employed at the El Ranchito restaurant where the shooting and robbery occurred.

Flowers lay against the wall at El Ranchito Mexican restaurant as the community mourns the lost of 19-year-old Michael Ruiz.

“Once again a young child has came to a tragic situation, and he was a good child because I got kids that know him,” community member Bobby Boyle said.

Three suspects are behind bars, two juveniles along with John Gray, 18, who was also an employee at the restaurant. Gray is charged with first-degree murder, especially aggravated robbery, and possession of a firearm during commission of a felony.

“Instead of grabbing a pistol, they should have grabbed a pencil and get educated and learn about the values of life and what it means to have a job,” community member Jeffrick Joy said.

Bolivar police confirm two of the suspects are students at Bolivar Central High School. Community members say they’re outraged knowing the incident involves teenagers.

“That really bothered me because that could’ve been my child,” Boyle said. “It’s not so much because it’s somebody else — it’s just a young person, period. We all, as adults, we don’t want to see things like that happen to our young children.”

The owner of El Ranchito has to see caution tape outside her business as it marks off the area her nephew lost his life.

“It’s ridiculous for somebody that tries to make a honest living end up with stuff like that happening,” Joy said.

“Really bothered me to know that his life went to tragedy like that for nothing,” Boyle said.

WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News spoke with the owner of El Ranchito, who is also the aunt of the victim, off camera. She says she is heartbroken.

The restaurant was closed all day Wednesday.

Bolivar residents are also banding together to support the Ruiz family. City officials and first responders have sent positive messages via social media with the hashtags #BolivarStrong and #WeStandWithYou.