A man will serve the rest of his life in jail after being convicted of shooting and killing his ex-girlfriend in Glendale nearly three years ago.
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell announced that Rueben Rocha, 24, has been sentenced to natural life in prison for the murder of Jordin Castillo, 20.
According to the county attorney’s office, Rocha was sentenced to an extra 52.5 years in jail, 15 of which will be served consecutively with the life term.
In June 2023, three people, including Castillo, were shot at an apartment complex near 51st and Northern avenues in Glendale. All three were brought to the hospital, where Castillo died. The remaining two victims suffered critical injuries.
According to court documents, Rocha leaped onto the third-floor balcony and broke into Castillo’s apartment while she, her daughter, and four friends were inside. Castillo opened fire from the balcony while calling 911 and begging for Rocha to leave. Two friends removed Castillo’s daughter and hid, but the gunshot struck Castillo and two other friends.
According to the county attorney’s office, Rocha fired 19 shots and continued to shoot while three victims lay on the ground.
Investigators believe Castillo and Rocha were previously in a relationship and had a daughter. Castillo received an order of protection from her ex-boyfriend when they split up.
“Jordin deserved to be safe, her daughter deserved to grow up with a mother, and her friends deserved to live a life free of the scars and pain caused by this defendant’s jealousy and rage,” Mitchell told reporters. “Thanks to prosecutors Lindsay Gephardt and Melissa Certo, a jury saw through his attempts to justify his cruel actions, and he will never get out of prison.”
Rocha was found guilty of first-degree murder, burglary, two counts of aggravated assault, four counts of disorderly conduct, and one count of interference with judicial procedures.
Castillo’s family has been vocal in raising awareness about the dangers of domestic abuse.
“You think a piece of paper will help you, but it won’t. Jordin’s mother, Katina Castillo, previously told Arizona’s Family that her daughter believed she was safe because she had a protective order, but it did not save her.