On April 14, 2014, in Billings, Montana, 38-year-old Richard Ramirez, a Caucasian male, was shot and killed during a traffic stop. The incident unfolded when Billings Police Officer Grant Morrison pulled over a vehicle in which Ramirez was a passenger.
The officer stated that during the stop, he feared for his life when Ramirez made a movement towards his waistband, leading him to believe Ramirez was reaching for a gun. Officer Morrison fired three shots, fatally wounding Ramirez.
It was later determined that Ramirez was unarmed. Dashcam footage from the officer's vehicle captured the audio of the encounter, during which the officer repeatedly shouted "hands up" before the shots were fired.
The day prior to the fatal shooting, Ramirez had been identified as a suspect in a robbery and shooting that had occurred in Billings. This was a contributing factor in how the officer approached the traffic stop. Following the incident, a search of the vehicle near where Ramirez was seated uncovered a small quantity of methamphetamine and a syringe.
In the aftermath of the shooting, a coroner's inquest was held, a procedure required by Montana law when a death is caused by a law enforcement officer. After hearing testimony, including from Officer Morrison, a seven-person jury determined that the officer was justified in his actions. Consequently, the Yellowstone County Attorney announced that no criminal charges would be filed against the officer.
The family of Richard Ramirez expressed their profound grief and disappointment with the outcome of the inquest. They contended that the shooting was an act of excessive force and announced their intention to file a lawsuit against the officer and the Billings Police Department. Family members also raised concerns about racial profiling, as Ramirez was half-Mexican. An obituary for Richard David Ramirez confirmed his date of death and mentioned he was a father to one son and had several siblings.
