On the afternoon of Wednesday, February 2, 2022, a day that should have been marked by celebration for his mother's birthday, 35-year-old Hispanic/Latino male Jeff A. Ramirez was fatally shot in what his loved ones believe was a random act of violence in Southeast Portland, Oregon. A devoted healthcare worker, Ramirez was remembered by his family as a nurturer, a healer, and a lover of animals. His sudden and tragic death left his family and friends heartbroken and searching for answers.
The shooting occurred around 3:51 p.m. in the 11900 block of Southeast Stark Street. When police officers arrived at the scene, they discovered Ramirez deceased from an apparent gunshot wound. A second man was also found nearby with gunshot injuries that were not considered life-threatening and was taken to a hospital for treatment. The suspect or suspects had already fled the scene before the police arrived. The Oregon State Medical Examiner's Office later conducted an autopsy and determined that the cause of Jeff Ramirez's death was a gunshot to the torso, officially ruling it a homicide.
The investigation into Ramirez's death continued, and in the following weeks, authorities identified a suspect. Joseph Banks, 49, was arrested on March 2, 2022, in connection with two other shootings that occurred in late February. After his arrest, Banks was subsequently charged with the murder of Jeff Ramirez, as well as the shooting deaths of two other individuals in separate incidents. In total, Banks was indicted on 15 charges, which included three counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder. He is being held in the Multnomah County Jail without bail. The investigation remains ongoing.
