LODI, Calif. — A teenager and 30-year-old co-conspirator were arrested in connection to a shooting that left a Pittsburg 15-year-old dead while he was visiting family for Thanksgiving in Lodi.
According to police, a 15-year-old shot and killed Alan Ruiz on Nov. 25. The teen, who lives in Delhi, was arrested Friday and booked into San Joaquin County's Peterson Juvenile Hall on suspicion of murder.
Early Sunday, Lodi Police said they identified 30-year-old Lodi resident Alberto Valentin as a co-conspirator. Police served a search warrant at Valentin's home where they found out that he was in Tracy.
Officers with the California Highway Patrol, Tracy Police Department and San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office helped Lodi Police find Valentin's car.
Deputies with the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office arrested Valentin on Waterloo Road near Highway 99 in Stockton. During a search of his car, deputies said they found a gun.
Valentin was booked into San Joaquin County Jail on suspicion of homicide and weapons violations with gang enhancements.
The deadly shooting happened in the 600 block of Hale Road. At the time, police described the homicide as targeted, but family members weren't sure why the teen was killed.
"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. "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."
According to family members, the teen was visiting his father for the Thanksgiving holiday. They say he was not affiliated with any gangs, but that other kids in the apartment complex he was visiting might have been.
Family members are calling for justice in the case.
“Before I got to the hospital, my brother just called me and says, 'My baby just passed, my baby just passed,'" said Ada. "I need to bring Alan's murder to justice. He needs his voice. He needs to be heard. He didn't deserve to die."
Watch more from ABC10: Lodi tackling uptick in shootings, violent crime over last several years
