Oscar Cortez-Ruiz, a 24-year-old man from Palmetto, Florida, was tragically killed on March 29, 2015. He was found lying in a driveway in the 500 block of 60th Avenue East in Bradenton at approximately 3:30 a.m. after being shot in his car. Cortez-Ruiz had taken someone home from the El Paisano Restaurant and Bar when another car approached, and an occupant got out and shot him.
Despite his efforts to escape, he collapsed in the driveway and was later pronounced dead at Blake Medical Center due to the gunshot wound.
The investigation led to the arrest of Alfonso Cano-Cano, a 34-year-old man, who was charged with second-degree murder. Cano-Cano reportedly recognized Cortez-Ruiz at the bar and followed him to the shooting scene. The motive for the shooting was linked to a fight between the two men that had occurred two years prior. Surveillance video played a crucial role in identifying Cano-Cano as the suspect. He was held at the Manatee County jail, and the investigation remained ongoing, with the possibility of additional arrests.
Cortez-Ruiz's death was one of three homicides in Manatee County that week, prompting detectives to seek further information from the public. The sheriff's office emphasized that none of the shootings appeared to be random, and they continued to investigate the other two cases. The community was urged to come forward with any information that could assist in solving these crimes.
