Ronald Ray Valdez Obituary, – The family of Ronald Ray Valdez, 34, confirmed on Saturday to KRDO 13 that he was the man who was fatally shot by police officers on Wednesday night, although authorities have not officially identified him yet.
According to the police, they received a report of a man with a gun in the parking lot of a Popeye’s restaurant near the intersection of US 50 and Outlook Boulevard at around 7:45 p.m. Upon arrival, officers found the man in a vehicle and instructed him to show his hands. However, he refused to comply and instead started shooting at the officers. In response, the officers returned fire, resulting in Valdez’s death at the scene. Fortunately, no officers were injured during the incident.
Following the shooting, an unspecified number of officers involved have been placed on administrative leave while an investigation takes place. Rev. Paul Montoya, a community pastor known for his assistance to the homeless, shared that the Valdez family requested him to lead a vigil on Saturday evening. Although he did not personally know Ron, he was familiar with his sisters and described them as a wonderful family.
Rev. Montoya mentioned that the family had previously made donations to support his work with the homeless community. While he acknowledged that the incident seemed inconsistent with Ron’s character, he remained neutral and focused on providing comfort and support to the family. He also expressed his willingness to assist with the funeral arrangements.
Regrettably, this was not the first time Rev. Montoya had conducted such a service. He recalled that on the same evening, within 20 minutes, there was another shooting on the East Side, which he could hear. He emphasized the importance of communities looking out for one another and understanding the challenges faced by both the police and the affected families. He acknowledged that the lack of immediate answers can be difficult for families, but emphasized the necessity of following the proper investigative process, as the truth will eventually be revealed.
