Suspect in shooting remains at large

A Tucumcari man remains at large after being accused of shooting at another man from a moving vehicle. Quay County Crime Stoppers has offered a reward for information leading to his arrest.

Jacob Ramirez is charged with two counts of shooting at or from a motor vehicle (no injury) and one count of assault with intent to commit a violent felony (with intent to kill).

The two counts of shooting from a vehicle are fourth-degree felonies that can lead up to 18 months in prison and a fine up to $5,000. The assault charge is a third-degree felony can lead up to three years in prison and up to a $5,000 fine.

According to a complaint filed in Tucumcari Magistrate Court by city patrolman Herman Martinez, officers the evening of April 28 were called to Jackson and Main streets about a shots-fired call.

Martinez wrote he and another officer talked to two people who said a neighbor across the street was arguing with another man and later heard what they thought was a gunshot as a car drove away. They identified the neighbor as Ramirez.

Martinez and the officer tried to make contact with Ramirez at his residence by knocking at the door, but no one answered. Officers contacted a relative who had a key to the home. They opened the door with the key and announced themselves as “Tucumcari police” while entering. The found Ramirez in the living room, who appeared frightened and was reluctant to talk to officers, Martinez wrote.

Ramirez said he was arguing with the man and ran away after being threatened. He said he did not hear shots nor had a gun. He said the man was dating a woman with whom he had a relationship.

Officers then were requested to go to the 400 block of East Aber Street, where a bullet had pierced the passenger-side window of a parked pickup truck. They later found the bullet in the driver’s seat. They found a spent brass casing from a .380-caliber pistol near the street.

According to Martinez’s complaint, the victim said he and Ramirez had argued. Ramirez pulled out a handgun, pulled back the slide to place a round in the chamber and pointed it at him. The victim said he told Ramirez, “Shoot me. I am right here; shoot me.” Ramirez did not pull the trigger.

As the victim drove off towards his house, he said Ramirez shot at him. The bullet missed him and hit the parked pickup truck.

A woman who knew Ramirez said he had a .380-caliber handgun. She said Ramirez contacted her by phone, and “he said he just shot at (the victim) and he needed her to come for him.” She said she also had text messages that referred to the shooting.

Quay County Crime Stoppers announced it would offer up to $1,000 for information leading to Ramirez’s arrest. Those with information should call (575) 461-3507. Informers can remain anonymous.