Eliot “Rico” Flores, a man remembered by his family as genuine, caring, and motivated by his dreams, was 31 years old when his life was cut short. The Hispanic male was out with a friend in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in the early hours of Sunday, June 2, 2024, when a confrontation in a parking lot turned deadly.
The incident began around 1 a.m. as local bars were closing.
Flores and his friend, 28-year-old Jashaun Morgan, had just left the Tin Can bar when they were approached by brothers Xavier and Ezekiel Ramos in a parking lot near the intersection of Cesar E. Chavez Avenue and Cherry Street. An altercation quickly escalated. According to investigators who reviewed surveillance footage, Morgan pointed a firearm at Xavier Ramos. An exchange of gunfire erupted between Morgan and the two brothers.
During the shootout, Morgan was struck by bullets from the Ramos brothers. He later died from his injuries at a hospital. Morgan fired back, hitting Ezekiel Ramos in the leg. Throughout this initial exchange, Eliot Flores, who was unarmed, sought cover behind a concrete light post.
As the gunfire continued, Flores got up and attempted to run away from the chaos. At that point, Xavier Ramos pursued him. Police reports based on video evidence stated that Ramos shot the fleeing Flores three times in the back. Eliot Flores was pronounced dead at the scene. After the shooting, Xavier Ramos drove his injured brother to the hospital and then left the area.
Investigators recovered two handguns and a rifle from the parking lot. They determined that all four men knew each other and that the incident was not a random act of violence. In August 2024, police arrested 25-year-old Xavier Reyes Ramos and charged him with open murder and felony firearms in the death of Eliot Flores. Authorities stated that because Jashaun Morgan had drawn a weapon first, the Ramos brothers would not face charges for his death, as a claim of self-defense could apply. Ezekiel Ramos was not charged with any crime.
Xavier Ramos stood trial for the murder of Eliot Flores. His defense argued that he had acted in self-defense. In June 2025, a jury found Xavier Ramos not guilty on all charges, and he was acquitted. He was subsequently released from jail.
