Benito Juarez, 23, was killed in a shooting on the early morning of July 11, 2020, along Tacoma’s Ruston Way near Cummings Park. Police found several vehicles leaving the 3900 block as they arrived just before 2:00 a.m.; Juarez had a critical gunshot wound to the forehead and was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy confirmed a single gunshot wound to the forehead as the cause of death.

Court records describe a confrontation between two groups in the parking lot that night. Witnesses said a younger male disrespected someone in the other group, tension escalated, and shots were fired from the center of the lot. A 17-year-old, Troy Lee Justice Jr., was identified by witnesses as the gunman and was arrested on July 18 during a traffic stop; he was initially charged as an adult with first-degree murder. In June 2021 Justice Jr. pleaded guilty in Pierce County Juvenile Court to first-degree manslaughter and second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm and was sentenced to confinement until he turns 25.

Family members said Juarez had no gang affiliations, was one of seven siblings, loved fast cars, had a great sense of humor and a memorable laugh, and was an innocent victim who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Does anyone who was at Ruston Way that night or who knew Benito have information that could add clarity to what happened?