| For Immediate Release Case # 11NF0916 December 5, 2013 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami
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MAN CONVICTED OF SHOOTING-MURDER OF TEENAGER IN FULLERTON ALLEY ON ST. PATRICK’S DAY
SANTA ANA – A man was convicted today of shooting and murdering a teenager who was changing a tire in a Fullerton alley. Charles Thomas Ramirez Jr., 36, Fullerton, was found guilty by a jury today of one felony count of first degree murder with a sentencing enhancement for the personal discharge of a firearm causing death.
The defendant faces a sentencing enhancement for a prior prison conviction for theft from 2008. Ramirez faces a maximum sentence of 51 years to life in state prison on Dec. 13, 2013, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-35, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.
At approximately 9:30 p.m. on March 17, 2011, Ramirez approached 19-year-old Larry Ruiz, who was helping his friend change a tire in an alley behind Ruiz’s parent’s home in Fullerton. Ramirez confronted the victim and claimed that he had been involved in a physical fight earlier in the day with the defendant’s friend. Ruiz denied being involved in the fight. Ramirez then punched the victim in the face.
As Ruiz began to back away in an attempt to escape, Ramirez pulled out a firearm and shot the victim one time in the head. Ramirez fled the scene. Ruiz died at the scene. The victim’s friend was uninjured.
The Fullerton Police Department investigated this case and arrested Ramirez on March 18, 2011.