LORAIN — A known gang member was yelling challenges to fight early Saturday and fired a gun in the middle of a crowd, a Lorain police report said.

Efrain Ruiz Jr., 23, of Lorain, was charged with disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, obstructing official business and discharging firearms.

Police said they were patrolling the area around East 28th Street and Pearl Avenue because of complaints of fights, gunshots and gangs in the area.

About 2 a.m., an officer spotted Ruiz drunk and daring several people to fight him, yelling, “Do you want to lose your life?” according to the report.

Ruiz and another man closed on each other and a crowd swarmed around them, them a gunshot rang out and everyone scattered, the report said.

Ruiz later told police he is an innocent victim who keeps getting jumped when he goes out. But police said he is known to belong to a prominent gang in Lorain.

---

Print this story
Report an inappropriate comment

---

In order to comment, you must agree to our user agreement and discussion guidelines.

Need help? Email Us.

---