Police Name Suspects in El Torito Killing

Oceanside police have identified two suspects in the brutal stabbing death of an El Torito restaurant manager on Vista Way last month.

Officer Bob George said arrest warrants have been issued for Juan Maurico Ramirez Salinas, 31, and Jose Duran Ramirez, 20 to 25 years old.

Ramirez Salinas is described as a Latino male with black hair, brown eyes, 6 feet tall, about 155 pounds, with burn scars on his chest, back and arms. There is no detailed description available for Duran Ramirez.

Oceanside police said they received the warrants several days ago but withheld the information until Friday because they were not sure whether the suspects had left the Oceanside area and did not want them to flee if tipped off. But police now believe the pair have fled the area.

The killing occurred after the restaurant had closed for the night June 19. Manager David S. Taber, 36, of Oceanside and two janitors were surprised by the assailants sometime after 11:30 p.m. While the janitors were cut with knives and tied up, the assailants stabbed Taber to death in his office after binding him on the floor.

One of the two janitors, both of whom are juveniles, later broke free and called police. The janitors suffered only minor injuries.

Police called the murder one of the most brutal they had seen in many years, as well as senseless because it took place on a Tuesday night, normally a slow day for business and therefore not profitable for robbers.

The El Torito restaurant chain, based in Irvine, said Friday that it continues to offer a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever carried out the slaying.