Help Phoenix Family Bring Body Home After Teen Shot In Tucson

ARIZONA — You might know David Ruggiero as the missing Vail 17-year-old who was shot to death last week in Tucson, but his family knows him as much more. “He was full of life and so easy to love. … He was such a beautiful soul that was lost too soon,” his aunt Amanda Weinmeister penned in a GoFundMe tribute to her “beloved nephew.”

During David’s short life, he battled two rare diseases: acute porphyria and autoimmune encephalitis, yet he “lived his life to the fullest,” Weinmeister said in her tribute. Her GoFundMe campaign on behalf of the family seeks to get some much-needed help with funeral expenses and the cost of transporting David's body back to Phoenix. “We would love to bring David back to the place he grew up and loved so much,” Weinmeister said. “We want to give David the memorial service he deserves to honor his memory and say our last goodbyes.”

On Wednesday, Nov. 20, the Tucson Police Department reported that a teen was found shot and on the ground around 5:20 a.m. in a parking lot at 1600 N. Wilmot Road. The teen died shortly afterward, in spite of efforts by police and fire personnel to give him emergency medical aid.

Meanwhile, David’s mother, Rebecca Ruggiero, posted in a “Destination Unknown” Facebook group that evening in an effort to located him. “My son left the house this morning about 1:30," Ruggiero posted. "He messaged his brother he was meeting a girl down the street and would be back in about an hour. … We’re new to Vail and he just started, so we don’t know of any friends he might [have] made.” His mother’s Facebook post then recounted how David had told his brother around 4 a.m. Wednesday that he was on his way back to their home. Ruggiero concluded her post with a plea to anyone who might’ve known where her son was to contact her. Subsequent Facebook posts in various groups mentioned search groups around the Vail area, but with no success.

At that time, no one knew that David’s contact with his brother that morning would be the last time David ever contacted his family.

Although police still don't have all the answers, they were able Friday to put enough puzzle pieces together to identify the Wilmot Road shooting victim as Ruggiero.

Since then, David’s mother, family and aunt have continued to think about him daily. “We will always love him, and he will be missed every day,” Weinmeister wrote.

As reality hit, the family realized they were slammed with not just David’s loss but also with the unexpected and large financial expense of David’s final arrangements and transportation back to Phoenix. “Our family is devastated by the sudden loss of David, and we were not prepared for the high funeral cost," Weinmeister said. "… Please consider donating if you are able to do so, as any amount would be appreciated. We are so very grateful for every donation during this difficult time.”

To contribute to David Ruggiero’s memorial and transportation expenses, access the campaign at GoFundMe.com.

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