Esteban Arrufatt Jr., 24, was killed in a drive-by shooting in Miami-Dade County on November 20, 2024. Raised in Waterbury, Connecticut, he was born February 25, 2000, to Esteban Arrufatt Sr. and Nancy Morales and graduated from Crosby High School. Described by family as funny, ambitious, selfless and caring, he loved sports, especially basketball.

According to Miami-Dade police, just before 1 a.m. on November 20 Arrufatt was standing outside in the South Miami Heights neighborhood when a vehicle drove by on the 19300 block of Southwest 116th Avenue and an occupant opened fire, striking him. Paramedics transported him to Jackson South Medical Center in critical condition; he was later pronounced dead and the Miami-Dade Police Department opened a homicide investigation.

He is survived by his parents, his sister Natasha Arrufatt, his maternal grandmother Rosa Pagan, his nieces Amelia and A’Miley, and other relatives. If anyone was in the South Miami Heights area that night or has information about the shooting, please come forward.