On May 16, 2024, 32-year-old Juan Luis Gómez-Ramirez was fatally shot while riding a Metro bus in Commerce, California. Originally from Puebla, Mexico, Gómez-Ramirez was a special education teacher and basketball coach. He had traveled to Los Angeles with his wife, Sarahi Varela, and their 2-year-old son, Elliot, on a tourist visa to visit family. To support his family during their extended stay, he took a part-time job at a local warehouse.
On the day of the incident, Gómez-Ramirez was returning home from work when the tragedy occurred.
The shooting took place shortly before 5 p.m. on a Metro bus traveling along the 6200 block of Slauson Avenue. According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, the suspect, 30-year-old Winston Apolinario Rivera, boarded the bus and sat behind Gómez-Ramirez. As the bus came to a stop, Rivera allegedly stood up, walked to the rear exit, stopped behind Gómez-Ramirez, and shot him in the head, killing him instantly. Rivera then fled the scene but was later apprehended by Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies while hiding under a train near the intersection of Peachtree Street and Eastern Avenue. A firearm was recovered during his arrest.
Rivera has been charged with murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a crime. If convicted, he faces a sentence of 35 years to life in prison. Authorities have described the attack as random and unprovoked, with no known motive. The incident has intensified concerns about the safety of public transportation in Los Angeles, following a series of violent attacks on Metro buses and trains in recent months. In response, local officials have called for increased law enforcement presence to ensure the safety of passengers and transit workers.
Gómez-Ramirez's death has left his family devastated. His widow, Sarahi Varela, expressed her grief and confusion, stating, "With every day that passes, I feel more and more confused, like I don't have any answers." The family is now seeking justice for Gómez-Ramirez and has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to assist with expenses during this difficult time. Additionally, their attorney is working to secure a U visa for Varela, which would allow her to remain in the United States throughout the duration of the legal proceedings against Rivera.
