Left inset: Rueben Rocha (Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office). Right: Jordin Miranda Castillo (GoFundMe). Background: The Arizona apartment complex where Rueben Rocha shot and killed his pregnant ex-girlfriend Jordin Miranda Castillo (KSAZ/YouTube).
In a heart-wrenching incident in Arizona, a mother pleaded desperately with her ex-boyfriend to “please leave” as he scaled the balcony of her third-floor apartment, shattered a glass door, and ultimately shot her dead in front of their 2-year-old child. The ex-boyfriend was convicted on Monday of first-degree murder and other associated charges.
“I have an order of protection!” Jordin Miranda Castillo, 20, of Glendale, can be heard shouting during a 911 call before she was shot to death by Rueben Rocha in June 2023. Local Fox affiliate KSAZ obtained audio from the call.
“You’re gonna get arrested!” Castillo shouted in a moment of sheer panic.
According to police officials at a press briefing following the tragedy, “Within a few seconds, Rueben pulled out a gun and started shooting into the apartment.”
The confrontation unfolded in a Glendale apartment, where Castillo was present when Rocha, her ex-boyfriend, attempted to force his way in by climbing onto her balcony. Rocha, in a fit of rage, also shot two of Castillo’s friends who were present, though they survived the ordeal.
Investigators revealed that the violent attack stemmed from “social media drama” that escalated into a dispute between Castillo and Rocha online. The Arizona Republic reports that Rocha arrived at Castillo’s apartment dressed in all black attire, complete with a face mask and a hooded sweatshirt pulled tightly over his head.
During the frenzied attack, Rocha unleashed several bullets from the balcony before making his escape. Amidst the chaos, one of the women bravely took the 2-year-old child into a bathroom to shield the toddler from the violence.
“We do not show any previous reports of domestic violence,” a police spokesperson told reporters after the shooting, per the Republic.
Rocha turned himself in and was booked on multiple charges. He was found guilty Monday of murder, aggravated assault, burglary and disorderly conduct.
“She was so strong, she was so independent,” Castillo’s brother, Elijah Castillo, said during a press conference in June 2023. “We love you, we’re going to miss you and we promise that your baby girl will never forget how incredible you are,” said Brianna Soto, Castillo’s cousin, according to local CBS affiliate WAFB.
Rocha is scheduled to be sentenced on March 20.
