Hobbs PD: Suspect tried to rob McDonald's ahead of deadly shooting

HOBBS, New Mexico (KMID/KPEJ)- The Hobbs Police Department held a news conference Friday to update the community about the investigation into a shooting in the Walmart parking lot that left one person dead on Thursday. 

According to HPD, around 2:07 a.m. on May 18, officers responded to Walmart at 3800 N Lovington Highway in reference to a shooting. At the scene, officers found 24-year-old Jordan Ruiz in the parking lot with a gunshot wound. Ruiz was taken to a local hospital where he later died. 

Following the shooting, investigators began reviewing security video from surrounding businesses and learned that three people in a stolen vehicle were spotted in the area just before the shooting. Officers learned that the alleged shooter tried to rob the McDonald’s on Lovington Hwy approximately 10 minutes before the shooting occurred. 

Surveillance footage reportedly showed an unknown man exit the vehicle and approach the drive-thru window brandishing a firearm, however, no employees ever came to the window. Employees were completely unaware of this incident, and it was not reported to law enforcement. The man then re-entered the vehicle and made several circles through the Walmart parking lot before approaching Ruiz’s vehicle.

Additionally, investigators said around midnight, that same day, a waiter at IHOP reported his wallet had been stolen and video footage from the restaurant revealed that the suspects connected with the shooting we...