Alejandro Lopez-Lechuga, a 39-year-old Hispanic man, was known by friends as a happy person who always put others first. He worked in construction and roofing and had many friends who loved him. In the hours after his death, dozens of people gathered to support his grieving family, a testament to the kind of person he was.
In the early morning of November 20, 2024, at an apartment complex in northeast Columbus, Ohio, Lopez-Lechuga confronted a person attempting to break into his work
van. According to his brother, who was also there, the suspect opened fire, shooting Alejandro multiple times and also firing at his brother. The incident occurred in the area of Princess Place and Jester Lane. Emergency responders transported Lopez-Lechuga to St. Ann's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy later determined that he died from a gunshot wound to the torso and his death was ruled a homicide.
Columbus police homicide detectives worked for approximately 16 hours straight, using surveillance footage to identify a suspect and his vehicle. Officers set up surveillance at the suspect’s residence and followed him when he left. When a K9 officer attempted a traffic stop, the suspect fled from the passenger side of the car, running down the sidewalk while holding a rifle. Officers pursued him on foot and fired their weapons, striking the suspect.
The suspect was apprehended and taken to a local hospital in stable condition. He was identified as Ricardo Ramirez, who was 16 years old at the time of the shooting. He was charged with murder in connection with Alejandro Lopez-Lechuga’s death. The rifle he was carrying was recovered and believed to be the weapon used in the homicide.
Lopez-Lechuga’s family was stunned to learn of the suspect's age. "I feel shocked that a 16-year-old could take my brother’s life," his brother, Mauro Lopez-Lechuga, said. The family also expressed their gratitude for the police department's swift work. "I want to thank the police for what they did; they did a great job," Mauro said.
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation opened a separate inquiry into the officer-involved shooting, which is standard procedure. As of August 2025, court records showed that Ricardo Ramirez's case had been transferred from juvenile court to be tried in adult court.
