Mecca murder suspect, victim identified

Lina Portman3 weeks ago

1 1 minute read

A teenager found dead in Mecca was identified Thursday and authorities asked for the public's help in locating his suspected killer.

Francisco Ramirez, 17, of Mecca, was found dead early in the morning of March 25.

Deputies from the Thermal Sheriff's Station responded at 12:05 a.m. that day to a report of an assault with a deadly weapon in the 71000 block of Miramar Drive in Mecca, according to Sgt. Jarred Bishop of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

During police's investigation, evidence of a shooting was found in the 99000 block of Via Costa Brava, but no victims or suspects were located.

“As the investigation continued, information developed that led investigators to locate a deceased man in the area of Sea View Way and 72nd Avenue (on the North Shore),” he said. Bishop said in a statement. “This deceased male is believed to be linked to the initial assault with a deadly weapon call.”

The Riverside Sheriff's Central Homicide Unit then responded to the scene and took over the investigation, Bishop said.