Full Notification

DATE/TIME: Thursday, January 7, 2021 4:15 a.m.

INCIDENT: Murder Investigation

LOCATION: 11200 block of 3rd Avenue, Hesperia

VICTIM: Christian Ruiz, 43 years old, resident of Hesperia

SUSPECT(S): Andrew Espinoza, 29 years old, resident of Hesperia
Vanessa Amaya, 29 years old, resident of Hesperia

SUMMARY:
On Thursday, January 7, 2021 at 4:15 a.m. deputies responded to the 11200 block of 3rd Avenue for a report of a shooting. Deputies arrived and found the victim, Christian Ruiz, suffering from gunshot wounds. Medical personnel transported Ruiz to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.

Detectives from the Homicide Detail responded to conduct the investigation. Detectives determined that Ruiz’ girlfriend was sleeping in a trailer on the property when she woke to the sound of gunshots and found Ruiz down on the floor. Information received during the investigation identified Andrew Espinoza as the suspect in the shooting.

On Friday, January 8, 2021, Detectives with the Specialized Enforcement Detail (SED) located Espinoza in San Bernardino and arrested him without incident. SED also arrested Vanessa Amaya. Espinoza was booked for murder and is expected to be arraigned on January 11, 2021 in Victorville Superior Court. Amaya is being held at West Valley Detention Center on murder and accessory charges and is scheduled for arraignment on January 12, 2021 in Victorville.

The motive for the shooting remains under investigation. The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Adrian Bustamante, Specialized Investigations Division – Homicide Detail at (909)387-3589. Callers can remain anonymous and contact WeTip at 800-78CRIME or www.wetip.com.

Refer: Detective Adrian Bustamante or Sergeant Jon Woods

Station: Specialized Investigations Division – Homicide Detail

Phone No. (909)387-3589

Case No. DR#192100128 H#2021-003


JOHN McMAHON, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department