A Thanksgiving argument between two brothers in Lakewood, Calif., ended in tragedy when one was fatally shot and the other taken into custody.
Around 2:40 p.m. local time on Thursday, Nov. 27, deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) responded to reports of a shooting, according to CBS News and NBC Los Angeles. When officers arrived, they found a man with a gunshot wound next to a car. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he later died. Authorities have not yet released his identity.
A male suspect, believed to be the victim’s brother, was seen running from the vehicle as law enforcement arrived, the Whittier Daily News reported. The man, identified as 48-year-old Antonio Ruiz Jr., was quickly detained.
“Investigators learned both the suspect and victim were inside of the vehicle arguing when a shooting occurred,” the LASD said in a statement, per CBS News. “Investigators additionally believe that the suspect and victim were known to each other.”
“The suspect exited the car from the turn lane and deputies were quick to respond,” Lt. Michael Modica told the Whittier Daily News. “He got maybe a block and a half [away].”
“[The argument] could be heard from people … in the adjacent lanes and the gunshots occurred in the car,” Modica added.
Ruiz Jr. is being held on $2 million bail, according to online inmate records. His next court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 2.
It is not immediately clear whether Ruiz Jr. has an attorney who can speak on his behalf.
The investigation is ongoing. Authorities are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact the LASD Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.
The LASD did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Saturday, Nov. 29.
