TRAGIC TWIST: Police Recruit Sh0t and K-il-led Just ONE Week Before Graduation
TUCSON, Ariz. (KOLD/Gray News) — A police recruit who was just a week away from graduation was shot and killed in a home invasion in Arizona, officials said.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department (PCSD) said deputies were called to a shooting at a home in Tucson early Wednesday morning.
Deputies arrived and found 23-year-old Carlos Ramirez, a Tucson Police Department recruit, dead from a gunshot wound. Ramirez was also a former PCSD corrections officer.
Ramirez’s fiancée, a current PCSD corrections officer, was also shot and was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Victim was days away from graduating police academy
In a statement, the Tucson Police Department said Ramirez had completed 23 weeks of training at the Southern Arizona Law Enforcement Training Center. He was scheduled to graduate from the academy on Aug. 27, just eight days after his death.
Ramirez’s class of the Tucson Police Department Academy will now graduate without him.
Tucson Police Officers Association President Darrell Hussman met with the recruits Wednesday to offer his support.
“It’s a pretty hard hit when your first introduction into law enforcement is something tragic like this,” Hussman said. “You spend so much time with them, you go through blood, sweat, and tears through the academy, and to lose someone this close to graduation is tragic.”
Hussman said the recruits took it hard, but they will push on in Ramirez’s honor.
“Just seeing their faces, their shock, but they’re determined to graduate and pick up the fight,” Hussman said.
Authorities search for suspects
The PCSD said a suspect vehicle was found as authorities continue to search for suspects.
Officials said the vehicle was found in a nearby parking lot.
No arrests have been made, and officials have not released a possible motive.
“This does reach all of us,” said Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos. “These members of my department, the members of the Tucson Police Department, their family members are also members of the Department of Public Safety who is also here in support. I can’t do this without the support of others. It’s tough on our teams, but I appreciate whatever the community can give us to help us get through this.”
Family believes the shooting was targeted
Ramirez’s fiancée, who was shot and injured, is pregnant, according to her sister. The condition of the unborn baby is unknown.
The sister claimed the shooting was not random. She also said her sister and Ramirez have other children.
Stacey Marshall Jr., a former University of Arizona football player who may have been in the police academy with Ramirez, posted a tribute on Facebook.
“You would annoy me, but all you were doing was trying to hold me accountable and make me better,” Marshall said of Ramirez. “Your demeanor, the way you spoke, and your officer presence would’ve made you a great cop. You will forever live on.”
Neighbors nervous following attack
Neighbors said they were both heartbroken and nervous following the shooting.
Some said they worry the shooting will paint their neighborhood in a bad light and could lead to more crime.
“Like right around 6 a.m., me and my kids just heard a bunch of sirens – sadly looked out the window and could see just a ton of sheriffs and fire, ambulances coming through – very alarming,” said Laura De La Torre, who lives in the area.
Neighbors said they also have been trying to help law enforcement by offering information and security videos.
