A man accused of a lethal triple shooting in Glendale, Arizona on June 4th has handed himself in to the police. This took place 24 hours after the violent incident that left a woman dead and her friends critically injured.
Glendale Police received a distress call about an ongoing issue at an apartment complex near Northern and 51st Avenues around 2:30 p.m. Upon arrival, they discovered three individuals suffering from gunshot wounds.
The victims, two women aged 19 and 20, were rushed to local hospitals with severe and life-threatening injuries. Tragically, one of them did not survive. Authorities have identified her as 20-year-old Jordin Miranda Castillo, known primarily by her middle name, Miranda.
At the time of the incident, Miranda, the two wounded friends, another man, woman, and Miranda’s two-year-old child were inside the apartment. Investigators from Glendale Police speculate that a conflict stemming from “social media drama” may have catalyzed the attack.
The suspect, identified as 22-year-old Rueben Rocha, surrendered himself on June 5. He faces charges of murder, burglary, and aggravated assault.
Rocha is believed to have breached a protective order and unlawfully entered Miranda’s third-floor apartment by accessing the balcony and breaking a glass door. From there, he began the fatal shooting. Dispatch audio from 911 reveals Miranda pleading with Rocha to leave, warning him of her protective order and the legal consequences.
Miranda and Rocha, parents to a two-year-old child, had a documented history of domestic abuse. Miranda had secured a protective order against Rocha in April. Following his arrest, Rocha is currently being held on a $2 million cash-only bond.
At a press conference, Miranda’s family members described the incident as a manifestation of domestic violence. Her aunt, Mercedes Castillo, assured that Miranda’s daughter would only remember the best of her mother and vowed to pursue justice for Miranda.