Joseph Joey Shuemaker, 24, of Santa Cruz was shot to death along the San Lorenzo River levee early on August 23, 2016. The location is noted for drug dealing activity, and investigators say the killing stemmed from a dispute over drug-dealing territories.

Authorities arrested 27-year-old Nino Ruiz and his girlfriend, 31-year-old Jenessa Kic, within hours of the shooting. Court documents state Kic supplied Ruiz with the gun and directed him to Shuemaker’s location; Ruiz then fatally shot Shuemaker. The pair tried to create a false alibi by posting a photo on Facebook placing them at Capitola Beach around the time of the killing, and witness testimony and other evidence were used in the prosecution.

Both defendants were later convicted and sentenced. Ruiz was convicted of first-degree murder and related weapons counts; Kic was convicted of second-degree murder. Memorials for Shuemaker remain at the levee, though some have been vandalized. Does anyone have information about the levee area or knew Joey and want to share memories or tips?