Suspects Charged in 1998 Homicide Case

July 31, 2008 - Charges have been filed against two suspects arrested in the fatal shooting of a man at 2414 Persimmon about 10 p.m. on July 3, 1998.

The first suspect, Severo Garza Morales (H/m, DOB: 8-31-78) is charged with murder and attempted murder in the 338th State District Court. The second male suspect, now 27, will be referred to the Harris County Juvenile Probation authorities on charges of murder and attempted murder since he was 16 at the time of the incident. Both are accused in the killing of Louis Ramirez, 18 years of age. Ramirez suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The second male suspect’s name and mugshot are not releaseable at this time.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant D. L. Robertson, Senior Police Officer R. P. Martinez and Officer C. Y. Park reported:

On July 3, 1998, Mr. Ramirez and three other victims got into physical fight with the juvenile suspect and Morales in the middle of the street at 2414 Persimmon. The juvenile suspect ran into his house, retrieved an SKS rifle and ran back out. Morales then grabbed the rifle and shot at Ramirez and the other three victims several times as they were driving away from the location.
Immediately after the shooting, Morales, the juvenile suspect and their families fled to Mexico.

In June 2008, the HPD Homicide Division’s Cold Case Squad reviewed the case and determined the suspects had been living in Laredo, Texas for the last three to four years.

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.