Sunday, October 24, 2010

Santa Monica, CA: ID Released of Man Killed By Officers After Shooting Wife In Santa Monica

Police officers killed a man who fired on them after he allegedly shot his wife, critically wounding her, in a parking lot near a busy intersection in Downtown Santa Monica Friday night. That man was identified today as 33-year-old James Ramirez of Los Angeles.

At approximately 6:10 p.m. a female Verizon Wireless employee was shot by her husband after work in the parking lot in the rear of 1345 on Seventh Street, across from the Santa Monica Main Library branch located on Santa Monica Boulevard.

“Upon arrival, officers found a conscious female victim that had been shot in the head and upper torso,” said Sgt. Jay Trisler of the Santa Monica Police Department in a release. “The victim stated her husband had shot her. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of severe injuries and remains in critical condition.” At the time of this report, her condition had not reportedly changed.

“It appears to have been a domestic situation,” said Capt. Wendell Shirley, also of the SMPD.

Based on the crime scene where multiple shell casings can be seen and witness reports, as few as six and as many as 12 shots were fired at the woman. The preliminary investigation revealed that the victim was shot while seated in her parked vehicle, and subsequently attempted to escape on foot. The suspect continued to attack the victim, shooting her several more times, ultimately incapacitating her. Witnesses reported that the suspect then pointed the gun at himself but either the gun faltered or Ramirez decided against it. SMPD also received similar reports.

Afterward Ramirez then placed the gun in his waistband and ran southbound on Seventh Street towards Santa Monica Boulevard. He continued west toward the final crime scene at 1400 of Ninth Street, between Broadway Street and Santa Monica Boulevard where SMPD officers confronted him.

Capt. Shirley said that officers in a police cruiser confronted Ramirez and order him at gunpoint to drop to the ground, but he did not comply. Instead he produced the handgun from his waistband and fired at the officers. “In fear for their safety, they returned fire,” Capt. Shirley said. “The suspect was hit and went down and was pronounced dead at the scene.” Bullet casings and shattered window glass littered the streets on either side of SMPD cruiser that evening. In front of the cruiser lay what looked like a body under a tarp.

Floyd English, a witness at the first scene, said he saw the first shots fired at the woman in the parking lot. He said both the shooter and the victim were both Latino. English said the husband was at least six feet tall, of a heavy build, with dark hair and a beard, a black blazer, and dress slacks.

No officers or bystanders were injured

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