A warrant has been issued for Alex James Barnett, 33, in connection with the fatal shooting of Carlos Ramirez, a Tucson police recruit, and the wounding of his fiancée, a corrections officer, authorities confirmed Friday.
Police are also searching for two additional unidentified suspects seen in surveillance footage alongside Barnett. The manhunt follows the discovery of Ramirez’s body in a home on August 19, while his fiancée remains hospitalized in stable condition.
Active Search for Suspects
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department has requested public assistance in locating Barnett, described as 6 feet 2 inches tall, 315 pounds, bald with brown eyes, and last seen wearing a red shirt and black biker vest. He was reportedly riding a maroon 2020 Harley-Davidson motorcycle with Arizona plates.
Surveillance video released Thursday shows Barnett with two other men near the crime scene. One clip depicts two individuals in black near a gas station at 5405 West Valencia Road around 5:20 a.m. on Wednesday, while another shows a person in a sleeveless shirt near South Palo Verde Road and East 33rd Street around 10:50 a.m.. A gray Acura MDX SUV, abandoned by one suspect, was recovered by police Thursday.
Victim Background
Ramirez, 23, was set to graduate from the Tucson Police Academy on August 27 and had previously worked as a corrections officer. His fiancée, also 23, was hospitalized with a gunshot wound but is in stable condition. Authorities have not released her name.
The Tucson Police Department issued a statement expressing deep sadness over Ramirez’s death, calling him a member of Basic Recruit Class 26-1. The department confirmed his fiancée is receiving medical care and extended condolences to his family, classmates, and instructors.