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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 harrowing incident in Arizona, a mother pleaded desperately with her former boyfriend to leave after he scaled the third-floor balcony of her apartment and shattered a glass door, with their 2-year-old child present inside. Tragically, she was shot dead moments later. On Monday, the ex-boyfriend was convicted of first-degree murder and several other charges related to the violent encounter.
“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!” screamed Castillo in a desperate attempt to deter him.
According to a police spokesperson during a press briefing, “Within seconds, Rueben drew a gun and began firing into the apartment.”
At the time of the attack, Castillo was in her Glendale residence when Rocha forced his way in after climbing onto her balcony. Rocha also shot two friends who were at the apartment, but they survived the assault.
Authorities revealed that the attack was triggered by a “social media drama,” which had led to an online dispute between Castillo and Rocha. Rocha arrived at Castillo’s apartment clad in black, with a face mask and hoodie concealing his appearance, as reported by the Arizona Republic.
Rocha fired several rounds at Castillo and several friends from the balcony before fleeing. Police said one woman took Castillo’s 2-year-old into a bathroom during the attack.
“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.