MILAN, N.M. – Alleged cop shooter James Ramirez was found dead in his jail cell at the CoreCivic Correctional Center on February 15. Ramirez was being held by the United States Marshal Service, who contract with the private prison company CoreCivic, when he was found deceased.
According to a press release from the Milan Police Department, who were the responding agency and investigators into the death of Ramirez, he was found deceased in his cell. MPD Sergeant explained that Ramirez was being held in segregation at the time and receiving regular safety checks.
MPD’s press release reads, “On February 14, 2022, Mr. Ramirez was transported by Core Civic Personnel to be treated for self-inflicted injuries. Upon return to the Corrections Facility Mr. Ramirez was placed by CoreCivic Personnel back into his cell in the segregation housing unit.”
The press release further states, “On February 15, 2022, Mr. Ramirez was found unresponsive in his cell by Core Civic Personnel who, started to perform life saving measures but were unsuccessful.”
According to Sergeant Joe Galindo of MPD, Ramirez was receiving at least two checks an hour by CCCC staff. On Feb. 15 he had been given a dinner trey but refused it, 29 minutes had passed from the last check on Ramirez before the time he was found unresponsive.
MPD still has a lot of work to do before this case can be wrapped up, Sgt. Galindo said, and the case remains under investigation.
Ramirez was arrested in Albuquerque, N.M. on August 19, 2021 after allegedly opening fire on Albuquerque Police Officers after the armed robbery of a teenager. During his alleged shootout with police, he allegedly injured four officers. Because no conviction was secured in this case, Ramirez is considered innocent of this alleged crime.
Ramirez, a California man, had a history of armed robbery. According to officials with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Ramirez was found guilty of and sentenced for a first-degree burglary. Due to a provision of California law that gives convicted criminals credit for time they served while awaiting trial, Ramirez was released the same day he was sentenced.
“I wish I could say this news brings closure to the tragedy that this individual brought to Albuquerque last August. But the reality is he never faced any consequences for shooting four police officers,” APD Chief Harold Medina said in a statement. According to court documents, Ramirez was not charged for the alleged shooting of APD officers because 2nd Judicial District Attorney Raul Torrez wanted Ramirez to face federal firearm charges first.