Sampson County Sheriff’s authorities are searching for a suspect who is alleged to have shot and killed a man Monday afternoon on Keener Road and should be considered armed and dangerous.

Sheriff’s deputies responded to a gunshot victim at 6370 Keener Road, Clinton, shortly after 4 p.m. Monday. Upon arrival, deputies discovered a male victim who they say had succumbed to a gunshot wound. The victim has been identified as a Hispanic male from Clinton, “whose name is being withheld at this time to protect the integrity of the investigation,” authorities said Wednesday.

The victim’s name may not be released until the end of the week, Lt. Marcus Smith said.

On Monday, investigators responded to the scene at Keener Road and began collecting evidence. Through the investigation so far, deputies have identified a suspect in the case — Jorge Alexander Ruiz, 26. Ruiz is approximately 5 foot, 3 inches tall, 172 pounds, with a muscular build, black hair and brown eyes. He has a scar on his forehead. He was last seen in the area of Keener Road when the shooting occurred.

Limited details were released on the homicide investigation, which is ongoing. Smith said the amount of shots fired and type of weapon used, as well as a motive behind the shooting and other details were being kept under wraps in the hopes an arrest can be made in the coming days.

Smith noted that Ruiz has been in trouble with deputies before, noting “minor charges” and some jail time in Sampson County previously. A search for Ruiz in the N.C. Department of Public Safety database yielded no prior convictions.

“I would consider him armed and dangerous,” the lieutenant stated.

Anyone with information they believe is pertinent to the investigation or about the suspect’s potential whereabouts is encouraged to contact investigators at the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office, at 910-592-4141.

Ruiz
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_Jorge-Alexander-Ruiz-1.jpgRuiz

By Chris Berendt

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Reach Managing Editor Chris Berendt at 910-249-4616. Follow the paper on twitter @SampsonInd and like us on Facebook.