BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A south Bakersfield community came together Thursday night to mourn the loss of 23-year-old Daniel James Ruiz, who was shot and killed by officers on Wednesday.

“It’s a loss for everyone and it just sucks. He left his daughter behind. His pride and joy,” said Savannah Ruiz, Daniel Ruiz’s older sister.

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Wednesday night, Daniel Ruiz was shot in the 1000 block of Pacheco Road, in south Bakersfield.

Not even 24 hours later, candles and flowers adorned the sidewalk he last stood on.

“It’s been a hard 24 hours to sit here and process that I’m never going to go into his room. Never going to see my brother. Never going to hear him again. Never going to wake up and go to work and go to the garage and see him in his bed,” she said.

According to the Bakersfield Police Department, Ruiz and another suspect still at large began firing at officers who were trying to contact them.

The officers returned the fire, and Ruiz was pronounced dead at the scene.

BPD has not stated why they attempted to contact the two men. 

“It’s an unfortunate situation and it shouldn’t have happened this way. But it did. And, you know, we’ve just got to move forward and keep his daughter sane and make sure everything’s okay with her,” said Savannah Ruiz.

Dozens of friends and family members were there in his memory. 

Savannah Ruiz made it clear that their priority now is Daniel’s daughter.

“He loved his baby. If he didn’t care about anything in the world and Leah, he always cared about her,” said Ruiz.

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Now Annaleah will have to learn of her father through family and friends as she grows up.

“I just pray for everybody that’s grieving and anybody that’s heard anything about the situation. I just want you guys to look at the bigger picture. He’s okay, he’s happy, he’s in God’s arms,” said Savannah Ruiz.

BPD said it is not able to give any updates on the suspect at large or details in regard to the shooting as this is still an active and ongoing investigation.

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