Marcos Fernandez Ramirez, a 26-year-old resident of Clovis, New Mexico, tragically lost his life on November 13, 2024, in a fatal shooting incident. The events unfolded during a meeting at the Hilltop Shopping Center parking lot on West 21st Street in Clovis, where Ramirez had arranged to sell a gun. According to court records, four juveniles aged 15 to 16 were involved in the incident. The situation escalated when one of the juveniles allegedly shot Ramirez inside their vehicle.
He was subsequently pushed out of the car onto the pavement and later succumbed to his injuries at Plains Regional Medical Center.
The confrontation reportedly began around 4:45 p.m. when Ramirez entered a black car occupied by the four juveniles. A man accompanying Ramirez witnessed the events and stated that he saw one of the boys fire into the back seat of the car before Ramirez was ejected. In response, the witness fired at the juveniles, injuring two of them—one in critical condition with a neck wound and another with an arm injury. Both were transported to a hospital in Lubbock for treatment. The remaining two juveniles were later apprehended by police after being tracked to a nearby home.
Investigators revealed that the juveniles had planned to rob Ramirez using counterfeit money. During the chaotic exchange of gunfire, their vehicle crashed into a residence, though no homeowners were injured. The firearm Ramirez intended to sell was found undisturbed in his car.
The four juveniles—Gustavo Hererra Jr., 15; Jacob Lavato, 16; Jacob Garcia, 16; and Diego Corona—have been charged with murder, kidnapping, and conspiracy to commit robbery. Hererra faces an additional charge of tampering with evidence. Authorities are still determining whether they will be tried as adults based on their criminal histories and involvement in the crime.
Ramirez was remembered by his family as an honorable individual and a former U.S. Marine who enlisted after graduating from Clovis High School in 2016. His cousin expressed grief over his loss and extended prayers for all families affected by this tragic event.
