LODI, Calif. — A teenager killed in a Lodi shooting was visiting his family for the Thanksgiving holiday, according to his aunt.
"He was the sweetest boy. He was into video games. He was into Naruto and Japanese comic books and he was talking about God,” said Ada Ruiz, the victim's aunt.
Ruiz identified the teen as her nephew, 15-year-old Alan Ruiz of Pittsburg.
He was killed Saturday night in what police called a targeted shooting near Hale Road and South Cherokee Lane.
“He was just visiting his dad for the week,” said Ruiz.
Ruiz said her nephew was speaking with a friend he met at the apartment complex and wanted to speak to her again later that night in the courtyard. She said they were walking back to her house when two people appeared behind them and Alan was shot.
Lodi police said a minor, who the family identified as Alan, died at a hospital.
“Before I got to the hospital, my brother just called me and says, 'My baby just passed, my baby just passed,'” said Ruiz.
Police said the killing was targeted, but they haven't said if it was gang affiliated.
Ruiz said her nephew is not affiliated with gangs. Earlier in the day, she said a few kids inside the apartment complex kept asking him which colors he was affiliated with.
“He kept saying the people from upstairs are throwing me gang signs,” she said.
Ruiz said it might have been someone affiliated with those kids who killed her nephew.
"He was taken from us by this random act that I don't find a purpose of it. What did they gain? What, what? I don't get it,” said Ruiz.
For now, the family wants Alan's killer to be found and taken off the streets. Meanwhile, police are still trying to identify the shooter.
"I need to bring Alan's murder to justice. He needs his voice. He needs to be heard. He didn't deserve to die,” said Ruiz.
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