Family members of an East Chicago man shot dead on a sidewalk by someone they described as the victim’s friend gathered outside Lake Superior Court Judge Gina Jones’ courtroom Tuesday seeking justice.
Luis Ramirez, 27, of East Chicago was shot once in the head on March 24, according to the Lake County Coroner’s office. He had just placed a child in a vehicle before he was shot. Ramirez was pronounced dead at the scene.
Christian R. Maldonado, 22, was charged with murder for his role in the shooting. He was also charged with dealing in cocaine, a Level 2 felony; unlawful carrying of a handgun, a Level 5 felony; and a misdemeanor.
Maldonado also faces a firearms enhancement that could add up to 20 more years if convicted.
Ramirez’s mother and father, sister and cousins — wearing black T-shirts emblazoned with his photo and name, birth and death date — waited in the hallway outside the courtroom which was packed for the day’s court call. Maldonado, who lives in East Chicago, was scheduled for an omnibus hearing.
Sabrina Ramirez of Hammond said the family cannot understand why Maldonado shot her brother.
“He was a friend of my brother’s, and he shot him directly in the face. Why?” an emotional Ramirez said outside the courtroom. She said the family is trying to make sense of the killing of the young father of two. Sabrina Ramirez said her brother was devoted to his family and always looked out for her well-being.
“He was the little brother but always acted like the big brother,” she said.
When police responded to the scene they found Ramirez lying dead on his back on the sidewalk, records show. A .380-caliber bullet casing was nearby.
A witness told officers Ramirez had put the child in the car just before an unknown man walked up to Ramirez and got into an argument. The car drove off before the shooting, records state.
After the shooting, Maldonado ran north two or three blocks to his home.
Witnesses described the alleged shooter as a 6-foot tall, light-skinned Hispanic man with a ponytail, who was wearing a white sweatshirt with a black and white diagonal split on the back with “23”.
At Maldonado’s home, officers saw a man walk out the back door. He turned and went back inside. Officers surrounded the home and ordered him out.
East Chicago cameras appear to show the two men having an argument before Ramirez collapses.
Maldonado said he was going to his grandma’s house to get food, but returned with nothing.
After a search warrant, police found a .380-caliber handgun wrapped in grey sweatpants on top of a basement air duct in Maldonado’s home. They found the same Jordan sweatshirt seen in the video, as well as 27 grams of suspected cocaine and a scale.
The gun was likely stolen from Illinois, according to the affidavit.
Jones had the bailiff bring in Ramirez’s parents who were waiting in the hall due to lack of space. The pair stood in the back. His sister and two family members were also in the gallery. The judge said she would make sure there was more room for his parents at the next hearing.
Maldonado has been held without bond since he was apprehended. He appeared in court with shackles around his wrists and ankles. He looked around the room and held his head up as he sat waiting for his case to be called.
When the family members entered the room, Maldonado hung his head down and did not look up again until he was called before the judge.
Maldonado is represented by court-appointed Attorney Joseph Roberts, who said they were not seeking a trial at this time. He said tentative talks were underway with the prosecution and they were working to see if there was “any common ground.”
Prosecutor Maureen Koonce said they expected more discovery to be forthcoming.
Jones set a new omnibus hearing date of Aug. 13.
Reporter Meredith Colias-Pete contributed.
