In the early hours of a damp, snowy Saturday in December 2017, Damian Ramirez, a 48-year-old man, left the warmth of his popular Upper West Side establishment, Manhattan Brew & Vine. As he approached his car just after midnight on December 16th, a hooded figure appeared, chasing him and opening fire. The gunman, who had reportedly been waiting for some time, shot Ramirez multiple times before fleeing the scene.
The entire tragic event was captured on the restaurant's security camera, a silent witness to a crime that would leave a family and a community searching for answers.
Ramirez, a father of five and grandfather of ten from New Milford, New Jersey, was a well-known figure in his community. His restaurant had become a popular spot, attracting even high-profile clientele. Beyond his work as a restaurateur, he was also involved in the boxing world as an advisor. Friends and family described him as a hardworking man who was dedicated to his various business ventures, which also included real estate and jewelry. In the wake of his violent death, those who knew him were left grappling with the senselessness of the act.
The investigation into the murder of Damian Ramirez was immediately launched by the New York City Police Department. Detectives from the Manhattan North Homicide Squad determined that the killing was not a robbery, as none of Ramirez's belongings were taken. They described the incident as a targeted 'hit.' The suspect was described as a man in his 30s, wearing a royal blue jacket and carrying a royal blue umbrella. Despite the existence of surveillance footage and a cash reward offered for information, the case has grown cold. No arrests have been made, and no suspects have been publicly identified. The hooded figure who emerged from the shadows on that winter night seemingly vanished, leaving behind a grieving family and a community still waiting for justice.
