Gilberto Ramirez Obituary, Death;- Authorities have disclosed the identity of a homicide victim from Merced County who was discovered with a gunshot wound last month. A suspect in this case has been apprehended.
The Merced County Sheriff Coroner’s Office has identified the victim as 55-year-old Gilberto Ramirez from Gustine. At approximately 4 p.m. on August 20, deputies were dispatched to the 4600 block of Hunt Road near Gustine following a report of a man suffering from a gunshot wound. Upon arrival, deputies found Ramirez deceased.
Detective Jose Sanchez from the Merced County Sheriff’s Office stated that while at the scene, detectives uncovered several pieces of evidence. Throughout the investigation, detectives identified 46-year-old Timothy Fontes as a suspect in the shooting. Sanchez mentioned that authorities found Fontes driving a pickup truck in a rural area of Gustine on the morning of August 21.
Fontes was arrested by deputies and subsequently booked into Merced County Jail on charges of felony murder, possession of a firearm by a felon, prior serious felony convictions, and multiple enhancements, as per jail records. He is currently being held in custody without bond.
Sanchez indicated that it seems the victim and the suspect were acquainted prior to the shooting; however, authorities have refrained from commenting on the specific nature of their relationship. Sanchez also noted that the case has been submitted to the Merced County District Attorney’s Office, and anyone with information related to the incident is encouraged to reach out to Detective Jose Sanchez at 209-446-0405.
