Main Suspect Sought in Beating of Marine

A Marine who was severely beaten by gang members at a birthday party last month remained hospitalized in serious condition Friday as police and family members stepped up their search for the primary suspect in the case.

Joffrey Ramos, 20, was attending a party thrown for another Marine on Sept. 22 in the 8500 block of Remmet Avenue in Canoga Park when a fight broke out. Luie Quezada, a suspected gang member from Van Nuys, was identified as among those who repeatedly kicked and beat Ramos, police said.

Frances Perez, the victim’s mother, said her son is in serious condition in a coma. But, she said, he was taken off a respirator Wednesday and is breathing on his own.

In addition to possible brain damage, Perez said her son suffered a broken jaw, a puncture wound in the back of the head and lacerations around his eyes and mouth.

The Los Angeles County district attorney’s office has charged Quezada, 24, with one count of attempted murder and five counts of assault with a deadly weapon.

Ramos, who grew up in Downey, joined the Marines a year ago and is stationed at Camp Pendleton. His mother said the persons who beat him did not intend “to scare him or hurt him. They wanted to kill him.”