| For Immediate Release Case # TBA March 22, 2011 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami
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ROOMMATES CHARGED WITH ST. PATRICK’S DAY
SHOOTING-MURDER OF MAN IN FULLERTON ALLEY
SANTA ANA – Two roommates have been charged with murder for shooting a man in the head while the victim was changing a tire in a Fullerton alley. Charles Thomas Ramirez, 33, and Marc Tomas Luna, 27, both of Fullerton, are each charged with one felony count of murder. Ramirez also faces sentencing enhancements for the personal discharge of a firearm causing death and a prior prison conviction for theft in 2008. If convicted, Ramirez faces a maximum sentence of 51 years to life in state prison. Luna faces a sentencing enhancement for a prior prison conviction for theft in 2007 and faces a maximum sentence of 26 years to life in state prison if convicted. Both defendants are being held on $1 million bail and are expected to be arraigned today, Tuesday, March 22, 2011, in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana. The time is to be determined.
At approximately 9:30 p.m. on March 17, 2011, Ramirez and Luna are accused of approaching 19-year-old Larry Ruiz, who was helping his friend change a tire in an alley behind Ruiz’s parent’s home in Fullerton. The defendants are accused of confronting the victim and claiming that he had been involved in a physical fight earlier in the day with Luna. Ruiz denied being involved in the fight. Ramirez is accused of then punching the victim in the face.
As Ruiz began to back away in an attempt to escape, Ramirez is accused of pulling out a firearm and shooting the victim one time in the forehead. Luna and Ramirez are accused of fleeing the scene. Ruiz died at the scene. His friend was uninjured.
The Fullerton Police Department investigated this case and arrested Ramirez and Luna on March 18, 2011.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Steve McGreevy of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.
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