With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
Family of unarmed man killed by LA Sheriff’s deputies files wrongful death claim
The LA Sheriff's Department is accused of wrongful death in the shooting of Oscar Alberto Ramirez. No weapon was ever found.
(
Photo by David McNew/Getty Images
)
Listen
0:52
Family of unarmed man killed by LA Sheriff’s deputies files wrongful death claim
The family of Oscar Alberto Ramirez, Jr., 28, filed a claim for damages against Los Angeles County and the Sheriff’s Department Friday, accusing deputies of wrongfully killing Ramirez.
Deputies fatally shot Ramirez in Paramount Park around 2:30pm October 27th.
The Sheriff’s Department said in a written statement at the time that deputies were responding to reports of a possible fight involving an armed individual in the park, which sits across the street from Paramount High School. But officials have said little else about the incident and acknowledged no weapon was ever found.
“A responding deputy saw individuals who matched the descriptions and attempted to make contact with one of them, at which point a deputy-involved shooting occurred,” a Sheriff’s Department statement reads. A spokesman refused to elaborate and blocked the release of the autopsy.
Sponsored message
“Its scary to think we live in this world where someone unarmed can get killed in that fashion,” said Ramirez’s brother, Kristian Ramirez. “I know my brother. He would not present any type of violence.”
Ramirez said his brother was not involved in gangs, worked occasionally in a warehouse, and enjoyed spending time playing basketball and handball in the park. “He had a group of friends he’d always meet up with.”
An attorney for the family said photographs indicate deputies shot Romero four times in the back, including one shot directly to the back of his head.
“We know that something is wrong here,” said Attorney Ron Kaye. “It shocks the conscious that the family is blocked from getting more information about what happened.”
Kaye said Ramirez had misdemeanor convictions but no felonies.
Ramirez said his brother was the fourth of six children. He said he lived with their parents, and that sheriff’s detectives searched the home the day he was killed. But he says detectives did not tell his parents at the time that he was dead. They waited until the next day.
“I’m confused,” he said. “I feel like they’re here to protect us. But I just don’t feel protected,” he said.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
