Epifanio Ramirez, 07-31-09

MODESTO -- Name: Epifanio Ramirez

Synopsis: A 10-year-old boy was one of three people shot at a residence in the La Loma neighborhood July 28. Gunfire erupted in the 100 block of Santa Barbara Avenue about 11:30 p.m. The boy was shot in the head and taken to the hospital in critical condition. Authorities said on July 30 that the boy was brain dead and he died July 31. The boy's father, Epifanio Ramirez, was shot in the finger. Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms arrested him July 29 on a no-bail warrant and booked him at the San Francisco County Jail. He was scheduled to be arraigned on federal charges, police said. Modesto police had arrested Ramirez on June 19 after finding guns in his home during a probation search. On July 16, a federal grand jury indicted him on weapons charges. The third person shot, Jason Cyphers, was killed in the shooting.

Motivation: Investigators believe the shootings were gang-releated.

Suspects: Unknown.

Modesto police ask anyone with information about these shootings to call Crime Stoppers at 521-4636.

If you would like to submit photos of this victim or have other information to share, please email homicides@modbee.com.