TUSTIN : Suspect Is Sought in Slaying in Alley

Police have issued an arrest warrant for a murder suspect charged with fatally shooting a 25-year-old man in an alley Friday night.

Jose Trinidad Garcia Ramos, 28, is wanted in connection with the 9:16 p.m. slaying in the 16000 block of Pasadena Avenue, Sgt. Mike Pettifer said.

Ramos, whose bail has been set at $500,000, is also charged with attempted murder for firing at another man earlier in the evening, police said.

A bullet from Ramos’ gun allegedly struck Hugo Ambriz of Tustin in the head. He died at Western Medical Center-Santa Ana. The confrontation began after two groups of male Latinos spent the day drinking in the alley of a Pasadena Avenue apartment complex, police said.

“Somebody from one group came over and called our suspect a derogatory name in Spanish,” Pettifer said.

“He didn’t like that. He had a gun and pulled it out and tried to take a shot at that person and missed.”

Ramos and another man fled in a truck, with Ramos firing seven or eight additional rounds into the alley as they sped away, according to police. Most hit garages or walls, but one bullet struck Ambriz in the head, Pettifer said.

“The victim was in one of the groups of men who was out there in the alley, but we feel at this point that he was an unintended victim,” Pettifer said.

Ramos has cousins and other relatives in Orange County and may still be in the Tustin area.

The Tustin Police Department is asking the public’s help.

Anyone with information is urged to call investigators Todd Bullock or Tom Tarpley at (714) 573-3251 or (714) 573-3247.