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Police Release Sketch in 2-Year-Old Homicide

This is a sketch of a man suspected in a shooting on July 19, 2008, in the 6200 block of Marinette.

HOUSTON – Authorities are asking the public to help them identify a suspect in a fatal shooting two years ago in southwest Houston.

Javier Ramirez Cruz, 23, died in the shooting outside an apartment complex in the 6200 block of Marinette July 19, 2008, police said.

Early in the morning, Cruz was waiting in his car at the entrance to the complex parking lot for the security guard to open the gate. Police said a man drove up in gray sedan, got out, walked over to Cruz and fired a shotgun at him before fleeing.

The security guard said Cruz and the man who shot him didn’t argue or have a confrontation before the gunfire.

Cruz and his brother had at been a nightclub before the shooting, but bar patrons and workers — as well as Cruz’s brother — said they didn’t notice Cruz having a fight with anyone inside the nightspot.

The man who shot Cruz is described as Hispanic and 18 to 25 years old. He is about 5-7 and weighs about 150 pounds.

Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 713-222-8477 tips or on-line at www.crime-stoppers.org.

Tips can also be sent by text message. Text TIP610 and tips to CRIMES (274637).

Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for any information that leads to the man’s identification, charging or arrest.

All tipsters remain anonymous.