Police search for fourth suspect
By DAILY PRESS STAFF
DOWNTOWN Three suspected gang members were in custody Friday in connection with a shooting in the parking lot of Sears, the crime taking place as thousands were leaving a concert on the Santa Monica Pier.
Police were still searching for a fourth suspect Friday afternoon, with detectives “working diligently to establish the fourth suspect’s identity,” said Santa Monica Police Department’s Sgt. David Hunscke.
The shooting at Fourth Street and Colorado Avenue was reported at 9:45 p.m. Thursday. Officers responding to the scene found one victim who suffered a single, non-life threatening gunshot wound, Hunscke said.
The suspects reportedly confronted the victim as he was leaving the pier and asked him where he was from, a phrase commonly used by gang members to determine if a person is from a rival gang. The victim told the suspects he was not in 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, Hunscke said.
Witnesses provided officers with a description of the four suspects and the direction they fled following the shooting. Officers set up a perimeter and with the assistance of a helicopter provided by the Los Angeles Police Department were able to apprehend three of the four suspects a short time later.
The weapon used in the crime was not recovered as of Friday afternoon, police said.
The victim was treated at a local hospital and later released.
The three suspects were booked at the Public Safety Facility for attempted murder, conspiracy, and promoting a criminal street gang. They were identified as William Ramirez, 26; Albert Ramirez, 22; and Jesse Araiza, 19. William Ramirez and Araiza were also booked for probation violations.
The shooting is still under investigation and anyone with additional information is encouraged to call the SMPD at (310) 458- 8451, or (310) 458-8427. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call the WeTip hot-line at (800) 78-CRIME (27463).
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 23, 2008. Read the original PDF.