Family of 18-year-old Elias Ruiz Looks For Answers

Family and friends brought flowers, pictures, and signs to the site where 18-year-old Elias Ruiz was shot and killed by Medfold Police.

The incident occurred yesterday afternoon when Medford Police responded to a phone call they believed was a disturbance call.

On the 9-1-1 phone police said Elias Ruiz was screaming while his mother was crying asking for help.

When Medford officers arrived on scene the mother and her young son had already left the residence. Ruiz had locked himself inside the home at 812 Pennsylvania Ave. Police first attempted to contact Ruiz by phone. Soon after, Ruiz came out of the home with what police are calling a large butcher type knife. It’s then that officers say he advanced at them.

One officers tried to tase the man but that failed. Another used a firearm killing Ruiz. It is still unclear as to why Ruiz contacted police in the first place or how he advanced at the officers.We are also unclear why the tase failed.

The case is being investigated by an outside agency. Police tell us that they are still very early in the investigation. The family of Ruiz is asking for privacy in this time of healing.

© 2024 KOBI-TV NBC5. All rights reserved unless otherwise stated.

Skip to content