SEATTLE — The fiancée of a man shot to death at a West Seattle gas station was joined Wednesday by a group of loved ones to remember the victim and ask for the public's help in solving the case.
According to the Seattle Police Department (SPD), Oton Garcia-Ruiz was shot around 8 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 13 while he was inside his car at Schree's gas station and truck stop in the 7800 block of Detroit Avenue.
Garcia-Ruiz was 53 years old.
"We were very happy together. We used to enjoy watching the sunrise and sunset," said Maria Cervantes, as translated by a victim advocate employed by the city. "He was a great partner."
The couple stopped at the gas station to fill up after returning to the Seattle area from a hiking trip, an activity they enjoyed so much that they became members of a Latino hiking club together.
"I miss everything about him, his presence, his voice. I just miss him. It's really hard when someone is taken from you," Cervantes said.
According to an SPD news release, someone opened fire at the busy gas station "with disregard" for customers.
On Tuesday, Oct. 22, SPD released a series of photos of a man they say is connected to the shooting, but did not specify what his involvement might be. Detectives are now asking the public to help identify the man, who was captured on security cameras inside the store.
"I'm speaking up now because I want justice for him," Cervantes told KING 5. "God welcomed him into heaven and he's looking over us and watching over us. We miss him very much."
Anyone with information is asked to call SPD's homicide tip line at 206-233-5000. Callers can remain anonymous.