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Dilley teenager in custody for assault…
HOUSE GUEST STABBED IN BELLY DURINGFIGHT OVER COUCH SPACE
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By Marc Robertson
A Dilley teenager was arrested in Cotulla last week on felony charges in connection with a stabbing during an alleged argument over who should be sleeping on a couch as a house guest, according to investigators.
Identified as 19-year-old Brandon Lee Ruiz, the suspect in the case is accused of having used a knife to stab a man with whom he had become involved in a late-night altercation when both claimed rights to sleep on a couch as guests of an elderly resident on Carrizo Street.
The La Salle Fire Rescue & EMS dispatched medics to the apartment at around 2:30 a.m. Friday, June 23, in response to a distress call regarding serious injuries to a man who had been staying at the apartment as a guest of the listed resident, Glenn Roberts.
La Salle County Deputies Andres Flores and Mike Hernandez were also dispatched and were joined at the scene by Investigator Homar Olivarez, who noted in a brief statement on the case that it appeared both men had been allowed to stay at the apartment but that violence had ensued in an argument regarding sleeping arrangements.
The report indicates Ruiz had appeared at the apartment during the day on June 23 and had told Roberts that he did not have a place to live and needed shelter. Sheriff’s deputies have confirmed that Roberts agreed to let Ruiz stay at the apartment and that the pair spent the evening talking. Late at night, however, another of Roberts’ house guests appeared, demanded to be able to sleep on the couch, Olivarez said, and asked Ruiz to leave.
“It appears they took the argument outside, and that Ruiz had a knife,” Olivarez said. “The other house guest, a man in his mid-thirties, sustained critical injuries, including deep lacerations to the abdomen and arm.”
The injured man was transported by helicopter to San Antonio for treatment.
Deputies investigating the apparent assault interviewed witnesses and determined that Ruiz was a potential suspect. The teen was discovered shortly thereafter and was questioned. Officers then noted that Ruiz was a wanted fugitive and that an arrest warrant had been issued for him in La Salle County on a state jail felony charge of credit or debit card abuse.
Ruiz has since been charged with second-degree felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He remains in custody as of Monday, June 26.