On July 25, 2021, 17-year-old Angel Ramirez of Wasco, California, was killed in a mass shooting at the family home. Angel, his mother Viviana Ramirez, and his older brother Jose Ramirez were all found dead after the attack. The shooter was identified as the victims’ father and husband, Jose Manuel Ramirez Jr.

Deputies responding to reports of a shooting encountered gunfire. Deputy Phillip Campas of the Kern County Sheriff’s Office was fatally shot while attempting to enter the residence. The gunman, armed with an AK-47-style rifle and a handgun, was killed by law enforcement after a prolonged standoff. Investigators found a restraining order had prohibited Jose Manuel Ramirez Jr. from owning firearms, but he nonetheless had acquired the weapons used in the attack. Cell phone data was examined during the investigation.

The motive remains unclear, though domestic violence and family disputes have been suggested. A community GoFundMe was started to help surviving family members and cover funeral costs. Does anyone have information about Jose Manuel Ramirez Jr.’s access to the weapons or about the family’s situation before July 25, 2021?