On Saturday, April 27th, at 9:08 PM, Escondido Police Dispatch received a 911 call reporting a stabbing in the 1000 block of North Ivy Street in Escondido. Upon arrival, officers located two males with stab wounds. Escondido Fire Paramedics transported one victim, identified as 37-year-old Jose Manuel Ramirez of Escondido, to Palomar Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased. The second victim was taken to Sharp Hospital, where he was stabilized and subsequently released.
Through an extensive investigation, detectives identified four juvenile males and two adult males as suspects in the homicide. Over the past several days, all six suspects have been apprehended. The juvenile suspects include two 16-year-old males, a 15-year-old male, and a 17-year-old male, all of whom were booked into Juvenile Hall. The adult suspects, 19-year-old Ricardo Fernandez and 22-year-old Jose Francisco Martinez, were arrested and booked at the San Diego County Jail. All suspects are residents of Escondido.
The six suspects have been charged with first-degree murder (187(A)PC), assault with a deadly weapon (245(a)(1)PC), and participating in a criminal street gang (186.22(A)PC). Detectives believe the suspects are gang members and that the murder was committed for the benefit of a criminal street gang. There are no additional suspects in this case at this time.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Escondido Police Department at (760) 839-4722 or Detective Chris Zack at (760) 839-4404.
