Two women involved in the attempted aggravated kidnapping that occurred in rural Mercedes early Thursday morning were arraigned Friday morning.
Mission residents Joselyn Gabriela Lomeli, 18, and Rosalba Sarahi Garcia, 17, have been charged with murder and tampering with evidence after one of the perpetrators was shot and killed during the attempted kidnapping of 19-year-old Juan Ramirez.
According to a release sent out by the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office, police responded to the 6000 block of Vera Lane where they made contact with Ramirez who told them he was assaulted by multiple armed suspects during an attempted kidnapping at his residence.
“During the assault of the victim, one of the male suspects fired his rifle, which struck another perpetrator,” the release said.
Deputies later received an update that a male had arrived at the Knapp Medical Center in Weslaco with a gunshot wound.
Once police arrived, they were advised that 19-year-old Carlos Garcia Ruiz died from his injuries.
Police were able to identify Lomeli and Garcia through the course of the investigation.
According to Sheriff J.E. “Eddie” Guerra’s Thursday morning tweet, one suspect remains at large.
Lomeli and Garcia remain jailed at the Hidalgo County Adult Detention Center on $1.1 million dollars in cash surety bonds each.
The Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office encourages any witnesses with information regarding this case to come forward by contacting them at (956) 383-8114 or (956) 668-8477 if they wish to remain anonymous. One can also submit an anonymous tip using the “P3 TIPS” smartphone app.
