Dispute over Pop Warner game leads to fatal stabbing

BELL GARDENS - A 22-year-old Bakersfield man was charged Wednesday with fatally stabbing a Monterey Park man during a brawl Saturday that allegedly erupted between rival Pop Warner Football fans.Jose De Jesus Ruiz was scheduled to be arraigned at Alhambra Superior Court. He was charged with one count of murder with the special allegation that he personally used a deadly weapon, a knife. Prosecutors will ask that his bail be set at $1.02 million. Ruiz attended a Pop Warner Football game in Bell Gardens Saturday before going to a Shakey's restaurant in Monterey Park. A group of fans with a rival team were also at the restaurant at 1955 S. Atlantic Blvd. shortly after 7 p.m. A verbal argument escalated into a physical fight. During the fight, Ruiz allegedly fatally stabbed 25-year-old Patrick Raymond Ortega. If convicted, Ruiz is facing 26 years to life in prison.

********** Published: October 11, 2012 - Volume 11 - Issue 26