61-year-old man killed in Denton downtown square shooting, police say
A man who was experiencing homelessness was killed and the man who shot him was detained by police after a disturbance Saturday afternoon in Denton’s downtown square, Denton police said.
Multiple 911 callers reported the shooting in the 200 block of West Hickory Street about 12:10 p.m., according to a police news release. The initial investigation showed that just before the shooting, a disturbance occurred between a patron of the square and the unhoused man who was shot.
The shooting victim was taken to a hospital, where he died, police said. The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the man on Tuesday as 61-year-old Jon Robert Ruff, according to online records. Ruff’s death is listed as a homicide caused by multiple gunshot wounds.
The man who shot Ruff is cooperating with the ongoing investigation, police said. He was detained for questioning Saturday and later released.
The preliminary investigation indicates that the shooter was with his family on the square when an “altercation” began between him and Ruff, police said in an updated statement on Wednesday. Police have said they believe the two men did not know each other.
No arrests have been made, and no charges have been filed in the case.
“While detectives determine the facts of what led to the shooting, some details cannot yet be shared to maintain the integrity of the investigation,” the Denton Police Department said in Wednesday’s statement. “... Denton PD is committed to gathering the facts of what occurred and ensuring everyone feels safe in our community. Officers continue to have a visible presence downtown.”
“All homicide cases, regardless of whether an arrest has been made, are referred to the Denton County District Attorney’s Office to present to a Grand Jury,” police said.
Anyone with video related to the investigation is asked to contact Detective Badiru at 940-349-7977.
This story was originally published August 9, 2025 at 4:02 PM.
