On April 12, 2023, a Merritt Island man was killed in an officer-involved shooting following an alleged series of criminal activities and a high-speed chase.

The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call at 10:00 p.m., alerting them to a suspicious person at the Sunset Bay Apartments, located at 225 South Tropical Trail, Merritt Island. The caller reported a male in the parking lot who appeared to be attempting to enter parked vehicles.

Upon arrival, deputies observed the suspect, later identified as 36-year-old Richard Ruiz, sitting in the driver’s seat of a pickup truck. Recognizing Ruiz from previous service calls, the deputies were aware that he was in violation of a domestic violence injunction, and that the victim lived in the same apartment complex.

Ruiz ignored the deputies’ commands to stop, fleeing the scene in the truck and striking several parked vehicles. He allegedly attempted to run over one of the deputies while driving through the complex’s parking lot, prompting a vehicle pursuit. However, the deputies lost sight of Ruiz due to his high rate of speed.

The suspect’s vehicle was later spotted near I-95 and State Road 520. Deputies attempted to stop Ruiz, who proceeded to drive northbound in the southbound lane until turning west onto S.R. 528.

The vehicle was eventually disabled by deputies, who then approached Ruiz. At this point, he allegedly discharged a firearm towards the deputies, who responded with deadly force, neutralizing the threat. Ruiz was pronounced dead at the scene.

The involved law enforcement personnel’s identities are being withheld at this time. As is customary in officer-involved shootings, the deputies have been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation, and once complete, the findings will be submitted to the Office of the State Attorney, 18th Judicial Circuit.