Charges filed against father, son suspects in Santa Maria shooting

Santa Barbara County District Attorney Joyce Dudley filed charges against a father and son for their part in a shooting that sent two people to the hospital last week in Santa Maria.

On Monday, Robert David Ruiz, Jr. was charged with two felony counts of attempted murder and two felony counts of assault with a firearm. Ruiz, Jr. is additionally alleged to have personally and intentionally discharged a firearm causing great bodily injury.

Robert David Ruiz, Sr. was charged with two felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. They are scheduled to appear in court again on Oct. 2.

Charges stem from a shooting that took place in Santa Maria last Thursday. Detectives said the suspects and the victims appeared to know eachother and the shooting may have been a result of a family dispute.

The two shooting victims were transported to the hospital in critical condition but both are expected to survive.