Suspect arrested in connection with fatal shooting in Pleasant Grove last year

A suspect was arrested Friday in connection with the fatal shooting Dec. 29 of Ivan Zarraga, 20, in Pleasant Grove, Dallas police said.

Ruben Mendoza, 18, was booked into the Dallas County jail on a capital murder charge. His bail was set at $1.5 million.

Officers who were called to the 9900 block of Rhoda Lane about midnight that night found Zarraga lying in the street. He died at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.

A witness told police Zarraga had been showing off his pistol to friends, according to the affidavit. The witness reported hearing several gunshots and seeing Mendoza outside of Zarraga’s car covered in blood.

According to the affidavit, the witness said Mendoza was holding his gun in one hand and Zarraga’s in the other. The witness reported Mendoza said he shot Zarraga because he wanted his gun, the affidavit says.

Mendoza plead guilty last year to theft and burglary charges, according to court records. He was sentenced to five years probation in October for breaking into someone’s home.