BOLIVAR, Tenn. — The Bolivar Police Department confirms they arrested three suspects after a young restaurant employee was shot and killed Tuesday evening at a family-owned restaurant.
The incident happened around closing time at El Ranchito on West Market Street.
The Bolivar Police chief tells us 20-year-old John Curtis Gray and two juvenile males are in police custody and will be booked and charged immediately.
He said Gray works at the restaurant and the juvenile went to Bolivar Central High with the victim.
The suspects entered the kitchen area with the intent to rob the place, police said.
An employee, identified as 19-year-old Michael Ruiz, was shot and killed during the crime.
“I saw a bunch of ambulances and police go by,” said Nikki Holt. “A man came in and said somebody got shot and that’s all he told me.”
Holt was working at Dollar General across the street when it happened.
“Right after that when I went to lock the door, we saw a man run across the parking lot, so it was a little scary,” she said.
Ruiz went to Bolivar Central High. He was a senior set to graduate in a couple months. He was family with the owner of the restaurant.
Hardeman County Schools said the principal told students about what happened right when they got to school Wednesday, and they had grief counselors on hand.
Police say they are offering a $25,000 reward in the case.
More arrests are pending.
If you can help, call the Bolivar Police Department.
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