Nephew butchers uncle who was noted restaurateur, cops say
Share this @internewscast.com

Left: David Ruiz (Kimble County Sheriff’s Office). Right: Edward ‘Ron’ Acosta (Las Palapas Restaurants).

A 39-year-old man traveled from California to Texas and murdered his uncle who founded a popular chain of Mexican restaurants, according to police.

Police report that David Ruiz killed 78-year-old Edward “Ronnie” Acosta by stabbing him at his luxurious residence in San Antonio on Tuesday. As a result, Ruiz is now charged with murder.

Acosta was the founder of the Las Palapas restaurant chain, which originated in 1981 as a modest 60-seat establishment in the Alamo City and has since grown across Texas.

The San Antonio Express-News interviewed Ruiz’s father, who revealed that his son was undergoing a mental health crisis and might have been using methamphetamine.

Love true crime? Sign up for our newsletter, The Law&Crime Docket, to get the latest real-life crime stories delivered right to your inbox.

“I thought I was going to lose him to suicide,” James Ruiz, who is married to Acosta’s sister, told the Express-News. “I never thought he’d hurt someone else — especially not Ronnie.  He just completely snapped.”

The elder Ruiz said his son set out from California to San Antonio on Sunday. Acosta invited him to stay at his home.

Citing an affidavit, local ABC affiliate KSAT reported there was some sort of altercation that led to the stabbing early Tuesday morning. Acosta’s housekeeper reportedly witnessed the stabbing and called 911. There was “blood all around him,” the housekeeper reportedly told cops. David Ruiz allegedly stabbed his uncle multiple times, and Acosta “bled out while lying in the garage,” according to police.

More from Law&Crime: ‘I told him I had a surprise for him and that was the surprise’: Killer who lured 74-year-old lover out into woods and shot him in the back of the head receives fate

The suspect fled the scene but was later arrested some 100 miles away in Junction. According to the Kimble County Sheriff’s Office, San Antonio cops alerted them of Ruiz driving west on Interstate 10. Deputies spotted the suspect vehicle near a truck stop and conducted a traffic stop, after which they took Ruiz into custody without incident.

James Ruiz told the Express-News that when he learned that his son had allegedly killed Acosta, he texted him and urged him to turn himself into police. His son reportedly asked why.

“David, you killed Ronnie,” James Ruiz reportedly texted.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

North Carolina Woman Discovered Alive in a Different State After 9-Month Disappearance

A woman from North Carolina, who disappeared last year with her unattended…

Local Judge Dismisses Supreme Court Decisions as Unconvincing

President Donald Trump is pictured attending the 157th National Memorial Day Observance…

5-Year-Old Girl Escapes After Three Women Killed by Man in Home: Police

Background: The residence on West 12th Street in Hilliard, Florida (WJXT/YouTube). Inset:…

Tragic Incident: Son Found with Injuries After Mother’s Death, Police Report

Inset: Blake Hornsby (Washington County Sheriff”s Office). Background: The junction of Strickland…

“Cult Mom Lori Vallow Daybell Receives Sentence for Conspiracy in Deaths of Fourth Husband and Niece’s Former Spouse”

Lori Vallow Daybell, often referred to as the “cult mom,” received two…

Partial Remains of Disabled Boy Discovered in Bags After Boyfriend Fakes Kidnapping Report

A 7-year-old Ohio boy who was found dead earlier this month was…

Former DOJ Officials File Lawsuit Against Trump Administration Over Alleged Illegal Firings

Left: Former federal prosecutor Michael Gordon stands outside the Sam Gibbons United…

Husband Faces Sentencing After Stangling Wife

Iset: Matthew S. Harrison (Lancaster County DA’s Office). Background: The home where…

Florida Family Accused of Mistreating Foster and Adopted Children

Left to right: Brian Griffeth, Jill Griffeth, Dallin Griffeth, and Liberty Griffeth…

Hawthorne Resident Charged with Federal Gun and Drug Crimes

Press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida GAINESVILLE,…

Man Accused of Killing Wife and Another Man Over Suspected Infidelity, Says Police

Background: The 200 block of Meeks Road in Henry County, Virginia (Google…

Trump DOJ Criticizes Assassination Suspect’s Attempted Atticus Finch Defense

Left: Ryan Wesley Routh (Law&Crime). Center: U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon (U.S.…