Accused Killing Duo Makes First Court Appearance For Shooting Death Of Man, 24

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA – Two people arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a 42-year-old man near a levee in downtown Santa Cruz earlier this week made their initial court appearances this morning.

Nino Ruiz, 27, and Jenessa Kic, 31, are suspects in the death of Joseph Mikal Shuemaker, 24, on Tuesday, Santa Cruz County Assistant District Attorney Celia Rowland said.

Shuemaker hadn't been in the area for a significant amount of time prior to his death, according to Rowland.

Both defendants have been charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder, Rowland said.

Ruiz, who is also facing an enhancement related to firing a gun, is being held on $2 million bail and Kic's bail was set at $1 million, according to Rowland.

During this morning's hearing at the Santa Cruz Courthouse, Superior Court Judge Marjorie Carter asked the defendants if they knew why they were there and the pair initially shook their heads, Rowland said.

The pair is scheduled to return to court on Sept. 8 for further arraignment and entry of plea, she said.

"We're confident in the strength of the case and expect to see justice done," Rowland said.

The victim's body was found on a levee pathway near the 400 block of Front Street and was reported to officers around 8:20 a.m. Tuesday, police said.

Responding officers found Shuemaker with a gunshot wound to his upper torso and performed life-saving measures on him until medics arrived, according to police. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Ruiz, a transient, and his girlfriend, Kic of Santa Cruz, were arrested as they stepped out of a Leibrandt Avenue home around 12:10 p.m. Tuesday, according to police.

Officers also served a search warrant at multiple homes Ruiz had visited. As of this morning, investigators have been unable to find the gun used in the shooting, according to police.

The fatal shooting marks the city's second homicide this year, police said.

Earlier this month, Ruiz was arrested two times on suspicion of possessing methamphetamine, according to police. He was also charged in 2007 with a misdemeanor for driving without a license, according to online court records.

Kic has had past contacts with law enforcement for alleged camping violations and burglary, police said. She has another case pending in court from last year on a misdemeanor charge of possessing drug paraphernalia, online court records showed.

Jon Minsloff and Jesse Ruben are representing Ruiz and Kic, respectively in the homicide case. The attorneys didn't immediately return requests for comment today.

Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call the police investigation section at (831) 420-5820.

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--Bay City News/Photos via SCPD