Illegal Immigrant Charged with Murder of Young Woman in Drunken Michigan Car-Jacking Attempt

Brandon Ortiz-Vite (Kent County Jail)

An illegal immigrant shot a young woman to death before leaving her body on the side of a road in a drunken car jacking attempt in Grand Rapids, Michigan, according to police.

Brandon Ortiz-Vite, 25, was booked into the Kent County jail on one count each of homicide/open murder, carjacking, felony firearm, operating while intoxicated, and driving on a suspended or revoked license. The charges came after the body of the 25-year-old woman, later identified by her sister on Facebook as Ruby Garcia, was discovered on the roadway of southbound U.S. 131 and Leonard Street in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with apparent gunshot wounds around 11:38 p.m. on Friday, according to police.

Mr. Ortiz-Vite is an illegal immigrant and was initially thought to have fled to Mexico, according to family members.

“If you know his whereabouts or his family please contact me we want justice,” Mavi Garcia said in a message posted on Facebook. “He is currently a primary suspect possibly on the run to mexico he is from durango and puebla if you got any information please dont hold back and give us information so me and family can have a peace of mind and closure.”

Law enforcement were able to apprehend Mr. Ortiz-Vite, on Sunday. Details of the apprehension were not immediately available to the media.

To assist in the funeral expenses, distraught family members of Mrs. Garcia set up a GoFundMe campaign, which has generated 266 donations adding up to $14,962, exceeding the $13,000 goal as of Tuesday morning.

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“As you all know, our precious sister was taken from us on the night of 3/22/24. Due to the sudden loss, we have unexpected finances so we would like to open this account and ask for any donations to help give her the services she deserves,” they wrote in the fundraiser.

“Thank you to everyone that has supported us through these tough times, we appreciate all the love,” the family added.

Calls and emails to the Michigan State Police Department were referred to a social media posting on X, stating that the case “is an active investigation, and updates will be provided as they become available.”

Major cities across the nation have seen a recent spike in crime amid the latest surge of illegal immigration.

While a public breakdown of crimes revealing what percentage of offenses have been committed by illegal immigrants isn’t available in Michigan, the perception exists among many—including political leaders—that a strong correlation exists between the number of people breaking the law to enter the country and the rise in crime that has followed.

Outrage over the increasingly porous southern border has been growing. Large numbers of illegal immigrants continuing to stream into the nation has led many Americans to boiling point. And the problem appears to be growing worse. Federal agents encountered nearly 2.5 million migrants at the southern border in fiscal year 2023, which ended in September, breaking the record set in 2022, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data.

In 2023, 2,583 illegal immigrants arrived in Michigan, according to data obtained by the Detroit News. The illegal immigrants were distributed throughout the state, with 642 illegal placed in Kent County, 540 in Oakland County, 451 in Wayne, and 300 each in Ingham and Kalamazoo counties. In 2024, the state anticipates a 42 percent increase.

According to the Immigration Research Initiative, only Texas, California, and New York have accepted more “refugees” over the last 10 years.

A recent Rasmussen poll found that 66 percent of Americans are concerned illegal immigration may contribute to violent crime, with only 31 percent expressing little concern. A majority of 56 percent said illegal immigration makes America worse, not better.

Border issues have been a focus for Republican lawmakers and candidates, including former President Donald Trump, who is seeking reelection in 2024. GOP lawmakers have said that it’s because of the Biden administration’s border policies that illegal immigration has increased, as has the crime rate.

President Biden had pledged during his campaign to greatly reduce the level of enforcement against illegal immigration.

During a November campaign stop at the border town of Edinburg, Texas, President Trump received Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s endorsement for president before promising that his hardline immigration policies in a second presidential term would make the state safer.

“We just need the walls. And it worked,” President Trump said.