Rueben Rocha, an Arizona man, received a life sentence on Friday for the first-degree murder of his ex-girlfriend Jordin Miranda Castillo in June 2023. The attack occurred in her Glendale apartment while their 2-year-old daughter hid inside. Prosecutors detailed how Rocha broke in and fired 19 shots, killing Castillo and injuring two friends.
Rueben Rocha was convicted last month of first-degree murder, aggravated assault, burglary, and disorderly conduct related to the June 2023 shooting of 20-year-old Jordin Miranda Castillo in Glendale, Arizona. According to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, Rocha climbed onto the balcony of Castillo's third-floor apartment, kicked in a glass door, and opened fire while she was on the phone with 911 dispatchers. Their 2-year-old child was hiding inside with friends at the time. During the call, Castillo shouted, 'I have an order of protection!' and 'You're gonna get arrested!' before Rocha fired 19 rounds, even as victims lay on the floor. Two friends were seriously injured. Investigators linked the incident to 'social media drama' between the pair. Rocha arrived dressed in all black, wearing a face mask and hoodie. Police noted no prior domestic violence reports. After turning himself in, Rocha faced trial. On Friday, a Maricopa County judge imposed life in prison plus 52.5 years, with 15 years consecutive. Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell stated, 'Jordin deserved to be safe, her daughter deserved to grow up with a mother, and her friends deserved to live a life free of the scars and pain caused by this defendant's jealousy and rage.' Prosecutors Lindsay Gephardt and Melissa Certo handled the case.