A man was shot in a confrontation with four other men in the area of the Sears parking lot near Colorado Avenue and 4th Street Thursday night, August 21, in what appeared to be gang activity on the part of the assailants.
At approximately 9:45 that night, Santa Monica Police responded to a report of shots fired in the 300 block of Colorado Avenue near the Sears lot. The officers found one victim, a Hispanic man, who had suffered a single, non-life threatening gunshot wound.
According to police, the suspects had confronted the victim as he left the Pier and asked him where he was from, a question commonly used by gang members to determine if a person is from another gang. The man told the suspects he was not from a gang, and the suspects then apparently left the area. A short time later, the four suspects confronted the man again, this time on the sidewalk in the area of the Sears parking lot, and a fight broke out. One of the four produced a gun and shot the victim.
Witnesses provided officers with descriptions of the four suspects and the direction they fled after the shooting. Police contained the area with the assistance of the Los Angeles Police Department helicopter; three of the four suspects were arrested. Detectives are working to establish the identity of the fourth suspect, a Hispanic man. 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, 26, Hispanic, charged with attempted murder, conspiracy, promoting a criminal street gang, and a parole violation;
Albert Ramirez, 22, Hispanic, brother of William, charged with attempted murder, conspiracy, and promoting a criminal street gang;
Jesse Araiza, 19, Hispanic, 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 a.m. – 5 p.m.) or the Watch Commander at 310.458.8427 (24 hours). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call the WeTip hotline at 800.78.CRIME (27463).
