FORT PIERCE, Fla. — The Fort Pierce Police Department is seeking the assistance of the public in locating a man believed to be connected to a fatal shooting in the area. The individual in question is identified as Edwin Ruiz-Avila, 42 years old.
According to investigators, the shooting incident occurred on South 21st Street near Georgia Avenue on Sunday evening. Upon arrival at the scene, law enforcement found two victims.
The first victim, a 34-year-old male identified as Guillermo Barrientos Otero, had sustained gunshot wounds and was unresponsive. Sadly, he succumbed to his injuries and passed away.
The second victim, a 38-year-old male, had a single gunshot wound to his arm but was in stable condition as of Monday afternoon.
Ruiz-Avila, described as a Hispanic male, is wanted by the police. He is believed to be approximately 5 feet 7 inches to 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing around 140-150 pounds.
At the time he was last seen, he was wearing a black shirt, khaki shorts, and white sneakers, and had several distinctive accessories, including a rosary chain, a gold chain with a gold-colored cross, and a black watch on his left wrist.
Authorities are cautioning the public against approaching Ruiz-Avila as he is considered armed and dangerous.
The investigation into this case is ongoing, and anyone with information about Ruiz-Avila’s whereabouts is urged to contact Detective Evens Saintilien at 772-467-6878 or 772-302-4796.
Alternatively, you can reach out to Detective Paul Cunzo at 772-370-6631. To report information anonymously, you can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-273-8477.
