Blood Bank Shooter Sentenced to Prison

According to court documents, on September 29, 2023, at around 4 p.m., San Angelo police responded to the Biomat Blood Bank, located at 2575 Sunset Drive, regarding a shooting victim.

Security footage was viewed of the incident and about three minutes before law enforcement was called, the defendant, Zaruba, walked away from the victim and then turned back to walk toward him. Zaruba produced a handgun and fired four rounds at the victim still inside the lobby of the blood bank.

Footage then shows the victim running out the front door then exterior camera footage shows the victim running through the parking lot and Zaruba firing the handgun seven more times at him.

Zaruba struck two parked cars and an occupied house across the street. There was also heavy traffic at the time of the shooting.

Zaruba stopped firing the weapon and accidentally dropped his cell phone then ran towards Sedona Ranch Apartments.

A witness said that he was sitting in the lobby of the Biomat Blood Bank waiting to be called back when a male came from the back of the building and began a confrontation with the victim. The witness heard Zaruba say, “What” or “What did you say?" and then pulled out the handgun and fired at the victim. No one else in the lobby was injured.

Gunshot residue was located on Zaruba’s right hand, and after speaking with officers, he waived his Miranda Rights and agreed to speak with investigators. He told them that he knew the victim from a previous altercation a year ago and told him they were going to fight but Zaruba instead drew his handgun and began firing at the victim.

The victim was transported to Shannon Medical Center and required emergency medical surgery for one gunshot wound to his chest. A detective was informed that one bullet was lodged in the victim’s chest cavity.

In exchange for a guilty plea, Zaruba was sentenced to eight years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.