Nicholas Ramirez | Homicide Watch Chicago

Orlando Dominguez held without bond in murder of White Sox vendor Nicholas Ramirez

Emily Brosious — Wed, 14 May 2014 16:38:19 -0500

Nicholas Ramirez

BY EMILY BROSIOUS
Homicide Watch Chicago

Orlando Dominguez was held without bond Wednesday for allegedly causing a crash then fatally shooting injured driver Nicholas Ramirez in the West Town neighborhood last month.

“I still feel numb,” said Ramirez’ mother, Dalia Ramirez. “Nothing’s going to bring Nicky back, but at least something is being done to bring his killer to justice.”

Dominguez, 17, was charged with one count of first-degree murder. If convicted, he faces a sentence of natural life in prison.

“We want the harshest sentence possible,” Dalia Ramirez said.

Dominguez is accused of intentionally smashing into the SUV Nicholas Ramirez was driving, then shooting him dead after the crash.

Nicholas Ramirez, 19, was driving the SUV with four passengers inside near North Ashland Avenue and West Hubbard Street around 2:30 a.m. April 19, Assistant State’s Attorney Beth Novy said.

Dominguez chased the SUV to North Ashland and West Grand avenues, where he accelerated the Nissan Altima he was driving into Nicholas Ramirez’ SUV, authorities said.

The SUV then hit two other vehicles and crashed into a median in the 1600 block of West Hubbard Street, authorities said. The four passengers ran from the crashed vehicle, but Nicholas Ramirez was trapped in the driver’s seat, Novy said.

Dominguez exited the Altima and fired multiple shots into the SUV’s driver’s side window, Novy said. Dominguez and five passengers then allegedly fled in the Altima and abandoned the car short distance later.

Nicholas Ramirez, of the 3900 block of South Rockwell Street, died at the scene from a gunshot wound to the head, authorities said.

Family members described Nicholas Ramirez as a hard working White Sox vendor who wasn’t involved in any gang activity.

Nicholas Ramirez loved baseball and hoped to be an emergency medical technician, relatives said.

His uncle, Oscar Mendoza, described him as a “warmhearted” young man who “treated people well.”

“He was easygoing and always laughed things off,” Mendoza said. “People were drawn to his happiness.”

Ramirez Memorial / Photo by Emily Brosious

Nicholas Ramirez’ mother and his longtime girlfriend Melissa Collazo said they did not recognize Dominguez when he appeared in court and have no idea why he would have shot him.

Oscar Mendoza, Ramirez’ uncle, said the family was pleased with the way Chicago Police handled the investigation. Dalia Ramirez said she wished charges had come faster, but is hopeful Dominguez will receive a life conviction for the murder of her son.

Dominguez is currently on parole for a 2013 felony count of unlawful use of a weapon. He is expected back in court June 2.

Boy, 17, charged with murder in West Town shooting death of White Sox vendor

Michael Lansu — Tue, 13 May 2014 16:54:48 -0500

Nicholas Ramirez

BY LEEANN SHELTON
Sun-Times Media

A 17-year-old has been charged with murder for allegedly causing a vehicle crash and fatally shooting Chicago White Sox vendor Nicholas Ramirez last month in the West Town neighborhood.

The teen, whose name was not released because of his age, was charged with one count of first-degree murder and is expected to appear for a bond hearing Wednesday, police said.

Ramirez, 19, was stopped at a red light when the suspect intentionally accelerated into Ramirez’ vehicle in the 400 block of North Ashland Avenue about 2:30 a.m. April 19, authorities said. Police had said the two vehicles were involved in an earlier chase south on Ashland Avenue.

After the crash, the suspect got out of his car and shot Ramirez, authorities said.

Ramirez, of the 3900 block of South Rockwell Street, tried to drive away but hit two other vehicles in the 1600 block of West Hubbard before crashing into a concrete median, where he was found shot dead, authorities said.

An autopsy found Ramirez died of multiple gunshot wounds and ruled his death a homicide, the Cook County medical examiner’s office said.

Ramirez, a Chicago White Sox vendor, loved baseball and hoped to be an emergency medical technician, relatives said.

His uncle, Oscar Mendoza, described him as a “warmhearted” young man who “treated people well.”

“He was easygoing and always laughed things off,” Mendoza said. “People were drawn to his happiness.”

An unoccupied vehicle that may have been involved in the chase was later found in an alley in the 1400 block of West Grand Avenue, police said.

Police said the shooting could be gang related, but Ramirez' family said he was not involved in any gang activity. Ramirez had no felony convictions but was sentenced to 10 hours of community service for drinking on the public way in April 2013, according to court records.

-- Contributing: Emily Brosious

Uncle: Slain White Sox vendor Nicholas Ramirez loved baseball, 'treated people well'

Emily Brosious — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 16:36:03 -0500

Family photos at memorial outside Ramirez' home / Photo by Emily Brosious

BY EMILY BROSIOUS
Homicide Watch Chicago

Chicago White Sox vendor Nicholas Ramirez loved baseball and hoped to be an emergency medical technician, family said.

Ramirez’ uncle, Oscar Mendoza, described him as a “warmhearted” young man who “treated people well.”

“He was easygoing and always laughed things off,” Mendoza said. “People were drawn to his happiness.”

Ramirez, 19, was driving south on Ashland Avenue in an attempt to get away from a vehicle that was chasing him, authorities said. Ramirez eventually hit two vehicles about 2:30 a.m. Saturday and crashed into a concrete median in the 1600 block of West Hubbard Street.

A gunman exited the vehicle that was chasing Ramirez and shot him in the head, authorities said. Ramirez, of the 3900 block of South Rockwell Street, was dead at the scene, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Police said the shooting could be gang related, but family members said Ramirez was not involved in any gang activity. Ramirez had no felony convictions but was sentenced to 10 hours of community service for drinking on the public way in April 2013, according to court records.

Ramirez attended Malcolm X College and wanted to be an emergency medical technician, Mendoza said.

Ramirez’ real passion was baseball and he worked as a vendor at White Sox games at U.S. Cellular Field.

“He loved baseball,” Mendoza said. “He identified himself as a baseball player.”

Ramirez Memorial / Photo by Emily Brosious

Ramirez played catcher in little growing up and won a championship with Brighton Park’s community team, Mendoza said. People called him “Pudge” after former Chicago White Sox catcher Carlton Fisk.

“His friends made shirts for his funeral with [Fisk’s] number 72,” Mendoza said.

As an adult, Ramirez enjoyed spending time with his new puppy “Beya,” Mendoza said. Ramirez was affectionate with the dog, whose name means “Beautiful,” and wanted to take good care of her.

“The dog was like his baby,” he said.

Ramirez lived in Brighton Park with his mother, who was not pleased when he brought the puppy home without permission, Mendoza said.

Beya has comforted her after Ramirez’ death and she is thankful for the dog’s company, Mendoza said.

More than 500 people attended Ramirez’ wake, said Mendoza, who is comforted that his nephew had a positive, lasting impression on many different people.

“I was inspired by how much he touched people’s lives,” Mendoza said “It lifted my spirits. I’m proud to be his uncle.”

Nobody has been charged for Ramirez’ murder.

Area Central detectives continue to investigate.

PHOTO GALLERY: Memorial for Nicholas Ramirez outside his Brighton Park home

Emily Brosious — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 17:28:16 -0500

BY EMILY BROSIOUS
Homicide Watch Chicago

Nicholas Ramirez was found fatally shot after an early Saturday chase and car crash on the Near West Side. Flowers and candles were placed outside his Brighton Park home prior to the funeral.

Comment of the Day: "We are all distraught and will always find difficulty with his absence"

Michael Lansu — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 15:57:35 -0500

Nicholas Ramirez was fatally shot early Saturday in the West Town neighborhood after crashing a vehicle during a chase. "All who knew" posted this about him:

The cops need to investigate quickly. It has been 3 days already and Nicolas Ramirez Jr is innocent. With his beautiful spirit and optimistic way of living, a boy like him would NEVER be involved with such terrible human beings. We are all distraught and will always find difficulty with his absence.

WEEK IN REVIEW: Nine shot dead throughout the city

Michael Lansu — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 08:46:24 -0500

BY MICHAEL LANSU
Homicide Watch Chicago Editor

Nine people were fatally shot throughout the city last week, and a 10th died from injuries suffered in an earlier shooting.

Eight of the murders happened during an especially violent weekend, which saw at least 37 other people wounded by gunfire.

The most recent murders happened when two men were fatally shot Sunday afternoon in the Little Village neighborhood.

Juan Ocon, 32, and Timmy Bermudez, 19, were riding in a Lincoln Navigator when they were shot about 1 p.m. near West 28th Street and South Sawyer Avenue, authorities said.

An orange Hummer blocked the SUV at the intersection then two gunmen exited and fired nearly a dozen shots at the vehicle, police said. Ocon was shot in the head and died at the scene. Bermudez was shot in the chest and died less than 20 minutes later at Mount Sinai Hospital.

In the Garfield Ridge community, A Chicago Police officer and her husband, a Cook County Sheriff’s correctional officer, were found dead in their home in the 5300 block of South Austin Avenue in an apparent murder-suicide, authorities said.

The correctional officer apparently shot his wife before shooting himself, said Cook County Sheriff’s spokeswoman Cara Smith. The bodies were discovered about 5 a.m. Sunday.

The couple has been identified as Javier and Veronica Acevedo, both 50, authorities said. Autopsies are scheduled for later Monday.

On Saturday, the bodies of 18-year-old Anthony Bankhead and 16-year-old Jordan Means were discovered in Bankhead's home in the 8200 block of South Houston Avenue about 10:40 a.m.

Both teens had been shot and were dead on the scene, authorities said.

Means lived nearby in the 8100 block of South Coles Avenue, authorities said. His mother, Camille Cochran, said the shooter and her son had exchanged words on Facebook. Police would not confirm her account.

In East Garfield Park, 42-year-old Darren Ray shot multiple times in an alley in the 2900 block of West Flournoy Street about 9:30 a.m., authorities said.

Ray, of the 3000 block of West Flournoy Street, was declared dead at Mount Sinai Hospital about an hour later, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

In the West Town community, 19-year-old Nicholas Ramirez was fatally shot in the 1600 block of West Hubbard Street after crashing the vehicle he was driving during a chase about 2:30 a.m. Saturday, authorities said.

After the crash, at least one person in the second vehicle shot Ramirez in the head and legs, authorities said. The second vehicle then fled east on Hubbard Street.

Ramirez, of the 3900 block of South Rockwell Street, was dead at the scene, according to the medical examiner’s office.

On Friday, 20-year-old Trevolus Pickett was fatally shot in a gangway in the 5200 block of West Congress Parkway about 11:15 p.m., authorities said.

Pickett, 8300 block of South Dorchester Avenue, was shot in the head and died less than an hour later at Mount Sinai Hospital, according to the medical examiner's office.

On Tuesday, 16-year-old Keno Glass was was walking on a sidewalk in the 7600 block of North Ashland Avenue when a gray minivan drove past and someone inside shot him about 2:40 a.m., authorities said.

Glass, of the 3500 block of West Walnut Street, was dead at the scene, according to the medical examiner’s office.

Additionally, 22-year-old Andres Servantes died last Monday from gunshot wounds suffered April 11 in the 8100 block of South Kilpatrick Avenue, authorities said.

Servantes, of the 4000 block of West 58th Place, was sitting in a vehicle when a light-colored van approached and somebody inside opened fire, authorities said. Servantes was shot in the head and shoulders and died three days later at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn.

Overall, the medical examiner’s office has ruled 95 Chicago deaths in 2014 a homicide — including four people killed by police. Additionally, the state’s attorney’s office filed first-degree murder charges against a speeding motorist who killed an off-duty police officer while trying to flee police even though the autopsy ruled the death an accident.

Chicago Police, which counts murders different, have ruled at least five of the homicides as involuntary manslaughter, justified self-defense or accidents.

Nicholas Ramirez fatally shot after West Town chase, crash

Michael Lansu — Sat, 19 Apr 2014 10:44:21 -0500

Nicholas Ramirez was found shot to death inside a crashed vehicle following an early Saturday chase in the West Town community.

Emergency crews found the 19-year-old dead inside the wrecked vehicle in the 1600 block of West Hubbard Street about 2:30 a.m., police said.

Ramirez was involved in a two-vehicle chase south on Ashland Avenue, authorities said. Ramirez' vehicle eventually struck two other vehicles and crashed into a concrete median.

An SUV at the scene appeared to have crashed into a planter box in the street’s median. A nearby parked truck and another car were also visibly damaged.

Photo from NVP News Video

After the crash, at least one person in the second vehicle shot Ramirez in the head and legs, authorities said. The second vehicle then fled east on Hubbard Street.

Ramirez, of the 3900 block of South Rockwell Street, was dead at the scene, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

An unoccupied vehicle that may have been involved in the chase was later found in an alley in the 1400 block of West Grand Avenue, police said.

Police believe the shooting may have been gang-related.

Nobody has been charged in the killing.

Area Central detectives are investigating.

-- Sun-Times Media Wire