A 19-year-old faces murder charges after a fatal shooting during a custody exchange in Indiana on New Year’s Day
New Chicago: A tragic incident unfolded when a Chicago teen was charged with murder after allegedly shooting his mother’s ex during a custody handoff.
Erik Olaguez, just 19, was charged on January 2 for the death of 42-year-old Edward Ruiz Jr. He’s currently in custody without bail, with his next court date set for May 7.
Police arrived at the scene around 11 p.m. on January 1. Ruiz’s relative was performing CPR on him when they got there. Sadly, he was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center but was pronounced dead. The Cook County Medical Examiner ruled his death a homicide, noting he was shot three to four times, including twice in the head.
Before the shooting, Ruiz’s ex had told their kids, aged 11 and 7, that she was going to pick them up. Ruiz’s relative suggested the kids walk to their mother’s car. As Ruiz helped the older child with their bags, things escalated quickly.
The mother started yelling at Ruiz, and when a relative told her to calm down, she punched her in the face. Ruiz tried to intervene, but then an unknown man from the mother’s car attacked him.
That’s when Erik Olaguez allegedly pulled out a gun and shot Ruiz. The whole incident was caught on video, showing the younger child running off before Ruiz brought her back to their car.
