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On Thursday, August 21, 2008 at
approximately 9:45PM, the Santa Monica
Police Department responded to a report of
shots fired in the 300 block of Colorado
Avenue near the Sears parking lot.
Responding officers found one victim who had
suffered a single, non-life threatening
gunshot wound. The suspects had confronted
the victim as he left the pier. The
suspects asked the victim where he was from
(this phrase is commonly used by gang
members to determine if a person is from
another gang). The victim told the suspects
he was not from a gang and the suspects left
the area. A short time later the suspects
confronted the victim again, this time in
the area of the Sears parking lot, at which
time a fight broke out. One of the suspects
produced a gun and shot the victim.
Witnesses provided officers with the
description of the four suspects and the
direction they fled after the shooting.
Officers contained the area with the
assistance of the Los Angeles Police
Department helicopter. Three of the four
suspects were arrested. Detectives are
working diligently to establish the fourth
suspect’s identity. The weapon used in this
crime has not been recovered.
The victim was treated
and released from an area hospital. The
three suspects were booked at the Santa
Monica Police Department . In custody are:
William Ramirez, male,
Hispanic, 08/08/82. Charged with attempted
murder, conspiracy, promoting a criminal
street gang and a parole violation.
Albert Ramirez, male,
Hispanic, 04/02/86. Charged with attempted
murder, conspiracy and promoting a criminal
street gang.
Jesse Araiza, male,
Hispanic, 08/18/89. Charged with attempted
murder, conspiracy, promoting a criminal
street gang and a probation violation.
This is an ongoing investigation and anyone
with additional information is encouraged to
call the Santa Monica Police Department
Detectives at (310) 458-8451 (M – F, 8 AM –
5 PM) or the Watch Commander at (310)
458-8427 (24 hours). Anyone wishing to
remain anonymous may call the WeTip hotline
at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463). |
