Jose Ricardo Ortiz III was 26 when he was killed on February 13, 2017, in Gainesville, Florida. A lifelong Gainesville resident born May 4, 1990, Ortiz graduated from Buchholz High School in 2008, wrestled and played lacrosse, attended Santa Fe College, and served in the U.S. Army Reserves. He worked at Advance Auto Parts and belonged to the Queen of Peace Catholic Community.

Police say Ortiz was shot in the head inside an apartment at the Ridge complex at 3801 SW 22nd Place. According to reports, Katherine Jean Tonner, 24, was arrested that day and later indicted on first-degree murder; a roommate found Ortiz face down near Tonner’s bed after hearing three loud bangs and a fire alarm. Investigators later recovered a loaded .45-caliber semi-automatic handgun at Tonner’s parents’ home, and Tonner reportedly made statements admitting she shot Ortiz and saying she never meant to hurt anyone.

Ortiz is survived by his daughters Kylee M. and Kenlee M. Epes and Sofia I. Fernandez, his parents Jose and Lillian Ortiz, and his sisters Elizabeth M. Otte and Kristina I. Ortiz. Does anyone have information about Ortiz’s last days or contacts who might help with the case?