Police Seek 15-Year-Old in Boy’s Death

San Bernardino police are searching for a 15-year-old suspect in the shooting death of Anthony Michael Ramirez, 11, who died Wednesday in what authorities believe was an attack by gang members.

Police said Friday that, with the help of San Bernardino school police, they had identified James Lamont Bagsby as the suspect. Bagsby allegedly approached Anthony Ramirez and his friends on a basketball court of Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School as the boys prepared to play a pickup game about 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, police said.

Two youths, one of whom police say was Bagsby, asked the group of boys, which included Anthony’s two older brothers, where they were from and whether they were part of a gang. Police have not identified the second youth.

Shortly after the boys said they were not in a gang, Bagsby pulled out a handgun and started shooting, police said.

Anthony’s brother Joseph was wounded when a bullet hit his right hand, and Anthony was struck in the back, according to Henry Ramirez, who carried his dying brother off the basketball court and into the school.

Police described Bagsby as black, 5 feet 5, 160 pounds, with a “James Jr.” tattoo on his right arm, and said he is considered armed and dangerous.

Bagsby faces charges of murder, attempted murder and nine counts of assault with a deadly weapon, and will be tried as an adult, authorities said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Mike Vasilis at (909) 384-5636 or call the police hotline at (909) 384-5656.