May 12, 200520 yr http://enews.earthlink.net/article/nat?gui...505121280409426 May 12, 2005 9:41 AM EDT MIAMI - A homeless man who was stabbed to death this week is being praised as a hero for stepping in to save the life of a downtown restaurant owner. Kelcy Ruiz, 32, died Monday night after intervening to defend Melida Murillo during a knife attack at her Colombian restaurant Mama Leonor. Another homeless man, 43-year-old Tyrone Daniel Clark, is being held without bond on charges of first-degree murder, attempted murder and armed robbery. Ruiz, described by relatives as a crack cocaine addict who lived mainly on Miami's downtown streets, did occasional work for Murillo in exchange for food. Police say he died struggling with Murillo's attacker, probably saving her life. "He may have been a street person but he was heroic," said Detective Delrish Moss, spokesman for the Miami Police Department. "Even though he was a forgotten member of society, he acted better than most people who are not homeless." Ruiz's uncle, Francisco Colon, described his nephew as "a lost soul" who had emigrated from Honduras four years ago in hopes of kicking his drug habit and finding work. "I'm a little proud that he died giving someone in need a hand," Colon said. Clark, who is also homeless, was among about 2,000 registered sexual offenders who had skipped out from monitoring required by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. He was arrested in Miami on drug charges in March but was released, apparently because officials did not realize he had absconded from the registry. Bitter sweet..
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.