GLENDALE, AZ – A desperate plea for safety echoed from a third-floor apartment balcony moments before tragedy unfolded, as a young mother’s life was violently cut short in front of her child, authorities said.
Jordin Miranda Castillo, 20, faced a night of terror last June when her former boyfriend, Rueben Rocha, scaled her apartment building, shattered the glass door, and stormed inside. Castillo, clutching an order of protection and her phone to call for help, screamed for Rocha to leave and warned that he would be arrested. Her two-year-old child and friends were inside the apartment during the harrowing ordeal.
Within seconds of forced entry, Rocha pulled out a gun and opened fire, according to investigators. Castillo was fatally shot, collapsing as her frantic pleas still hung in the air. Two friends, also struck by gunfire, survived the attack. One of them rushed the toddler to the bathroom, barricading themselves while chaos erupted in the living room.
Investigators later revealed that an argument on social media had triggered Rocha to descend into violence. Rocha arrived clad in black, his face masked and a hoodie drawn tight—a calculated effort to conceal his identity. Once on the balcony, he blasted multiple rounds into the apartment before fleeing the scene.
Witnesses recounted the horrifying moments as they tried to protect the young child and each other. The event left neighbors and family members stunned. Castillo’s brother and cousin described her as fiercely independent and devoted to her daughter, promising to honor her memory and ensure her child never forgets her mother’s strength.
Police records showed no previous reports of domestic violence between Castillo and Rocha, making the abrupt escalation even more shocking. Investigators pieced together the timeline through emergency calls and statements from those present, reconstructing a case of deadly domestic violence that left a community grieving.
Rocha turned himself in days after the shooting. He was later charged with first-degree murder, aggravated assault, burglary, and disorderly conduct. On Monday, a jury found Rocha guilty on all counts, bringing a measure of closure to Castillo’s family and friends as they continue to grapple with her loss.
The sentencing hearing for Rocha is scheduled for March 20. As Glendale mourns, advocates call for increased support for victims facing threats, pointing to Castillo’s case as a tragic example of how quickly online conflict and failed protective orders can spiral into deadly encounters.
With the verdict delivered, the community holds onto the hope that justice for Jordin Miranda Castillo will help prevent similar tragedies in the future.