Juan Ramon Ramos, 32
Highland, California
July 22, 2018
Cause of death: Shooting
Last updated: over 5 years ago
Overview 
Reckless driving suspect Juan Ramon Ramos, 32 of Highland was killed in a deputy involved shooting while threatening the lives of citizens and deputies with a box cutter Sunday, July 22.
Ramos was shot after he repeatedly failed to comply to deputies’ commands to surrender and the responding deputies’ use of less-than-lethal bean bags and Taser were ineffective against him.
According to a Sheriff’s Department press release, at 3:52 p.m. on Sunday sheriff’s dispatch received a call for service regarding a report of a reckless driver speeding through neighborhood streets near the intersection of Olive and 13th streets in Highland.
Deputies responded and located a white Ford Crown Victoria being driven by a male subject, later identified as the suspect Ramos, driving without regard for the public’s safety, endangering himself and other motorists by running red lights and nearly hitting other vehicles.
A deputy attempted a traffic stop on the suspect vehicle at a gas station, but the suspect drove away when asked to exit the vehicle. The deputy witnessed Ramos hold up a box cutter prior to fleeing the gas station. Ramos refused to yield and led deputies on a pursuit after he narrowly missed colliding with other motorists. Eventually the pursuit ended back near Olive and 13th streets.
According to the release, deputies attempted to de-escalate the situation however, Ramos did not comply with commands and refused to exit the vehicle. After a brief standoff, Ramos exited the vehicle armed with the box cutter and ran from deputies. Ramos continued to ignore deputies’ commands and did not comply with their orders to peacefully surrender.
Deputies deployed bean bags, striking the suspect. Deputies also deployed a Taser, striking the suspect; the less-than-lethal and de-escalation techniques proved ineffective in getting the suspect to comply.
Ramos jumped a fence approaching a group of people with the box cutter in his hand. Fearing for the safety of the citizens, a deputy involved shooting occurred striking the suspect. Ramos was transported to St. Bernardine’s Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased at 5:24 p.m.