Photo By Greenlee County Sheriff’s Office: This photo posted by the Greenlee County Sheriff’s Office to its Facebook page shows the number of officers who showed up to the scene. After being barricaded by the police for two hours, Johnny Ruiz Jr., 30, took his own life.
By Jon Johnson
CLIFTON – A man who had barricaded himself from police in a standoff ended up taking his own life Aug. 12.
Johnny Ruiz Jr., 30, was pronounced deceased due to a fatal, self-inflicted gunshot wound. According to a press release from the Clifton Police Department, an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle was found with Ruiz.
Clifton officers and deputies with the Greenlee County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene at about 12:24 p.m. near Gomez Loop in Clifton regarding a domestic disturbance.
The release stated, “Officers on scene attempted to convince Mr. Ruiz to exit the residence for approximately two hours, at which point less than lethal force was deployed. During that time, officers heard one gunshot coming from inside the residence. Officers then made entry and observed Mr. Ruiz suffering from a single, self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest. Medical personnel were on standby at the scene and treated Mr. Ruiz, who later succumbed to his injury.”
The Clifton Police Department release did not state what type of nonlethal force was used or the underlying cause for the situation.
A gofundme account was created Aug. 13 in support of Ruiz’s family. Visit the site by clicking here.
As of Tuesday, Aug. 28, the account had received $520 of its $5,000 goal, but support was listed as rising.
On the fundraising site, the organizers said the goal was to open a trust fund for Ruiz’s daughter.
“Our family is raising funds to afford the final wishes of a fallen father, grandson, son, brother, and great friend Johnny Ruiz Jr., who left this world too early. Our final goal is to open a trust fund for his daughter to help pay for her college and secure her future. We’re asking for any donations from all friends, family, and any sho can help a mourning family in hopes of easing the loss of a great man.”
