Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma

Documented 19-year-old gang member jailed in ambush shooting of man in De Luz

FALLBROOK - A documented gang member was behind bars today for allegedly ambushing another young man last month in a remote area of De Luz, near the eastern outskirts of Camp Pendleton, seriously wounding him.

Sergio Huerta Ramirez, 19, was arrested Thursday, Jan. 31, at a friend's home in Fallbrook during a parole and probation compliance sweep, sheriff's Lt. Todd Richardson said.

Shortly before 1 p.m. Jan. 3, Ramirez allegedly opened fire using a pistol on a moving Chevrolet truck traveling near the intersection of De Luz Road and Harris Trail. The pickup veered off the roadway and crashed into a tree and a fence, after which the victim got out and collapsed, according to Richardson.

A woman driving through the sparsely developed area came across the wounded man a short time later and took him to Fallbrook Hospital, where he was admitted for treatment of multiple gunshot wounds to his torso.

If the victim had not been found so promptly, he "definitely would have died,'' the lieutenant said.

The wounded man, whose name has been withheld, is now recovering in an undisclosed location outside the San Diego area.

Investigators have determined no motive for the assault, and it remains unclear if the perpetrator opened fire while on foot or from inside another vehicle, according to Richardson.

About 20 minutes after the shooting, a small sedan was stolen in Fallbrook, and it later turned up in the Temecula area, abandoned and torched.

Authorities believe there is a "high likelihood'' the gunman also committed the auto theft and arson to escape and cover his tracks, Richardson said.

Ramirez was booked into Vista Jail on suspicion of attempted murder and a gang-crime allegation. He was being held without bail pending arraignment, scheduled for Monday afternoon, February 4.

(former story)

19-year-old gang member arrested for allegedly trying to gun down man in De Luz

FALLBROOK - A 19-year-old gang member wanted for allegedly trying to gun down another man in a remote area near Camp Pendleton four weeks ago was arrested today, along with five other people, during a North County parole and probation compliance operation.

Sergio Ramirez of Fallbrook was expected to be booked on suspicion of attempted murder in connection with the Jan. 3 shooting, sheriff's Lt. Todd Richardson said.

Shortly before 1 p.m. that day, Ramirez allegedly shot a man in the De Luz Canyon. A passer-by found the victim lying next to his car, which had crashed into a fence alongside a rural road. She drove him to Fallbrook Hospital, where he was admitted for treatment of multiple gunshot wounds.

Officials have released no suspected motive for the shooting, which they described as an attempted ''execution style'' gang killing.

The others taken into custody during today's sweep were jailed on suspicion of various narcotics offenses, the lieutenant said.

 

Reader Comments(0)

 
 
Rendered 03/28/2024 03:33