FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Erin Maloney, Communications Director
Office of the State Attorney, 13th Judicial Circuit
(813) 557-3366 | [email protected]
TAMPA, FL (March 5, 2024) — A judge ruled that the man who shot and killed a father of five following a Riverview road rage incident will remain behind bars until trial. The State Attorney’s Office successfully argued that Jorge Ramirez remains a danger to the community and should not be granted bond.
During today’s pretrial detention hearing, the victim’s fiancé testified that Ramirez was ramming the back of their family’s green Chevy Suburban prior to stopping in a residential area and opening fire. Ramirez originally became angry because he could not pass the Suburban to cut through a parking lot to avoid waiting at a red light.
The lead detective said the victim’s 10-year-old son warned his father that Ramirez had a gun as he exited his black BMW. The young boy then took cover in the family’s Suburban and shielded his younger brother from gunfire. The lead detective also testified that the defendant said, “Watch this,” to his passengers before killing the victim.
Prosecutors presented a photo the victim’s fiancé took just before the shooting which shows how far away the defendant’s black BMW sedan was from the family’s Suburban. Ramirez was behind his BMW, more than 20 feet away from the victim when he opened fire.
“The only way to protect the citizens of Hillsborough County from this defendant is to ensure he remains behind bars until trial. The victim’s fiancé should be commended for her bravery, taking the stand today to recount the worst day of her life. We will continue to work diligently to make sure this defendant is held accountable for his actions,” said State Attorney Suzy Lopez.
Ramirez is charged with second-degree murder and faces up to life in prison if convicted. Read the previous press release here.