As she approached the home in her vehicle Ramos jumped out from behind some bushes and opened fire through the windshield of the vehicle. She was able to drive off from the area a short distance and the friend took over the wheel of the vehicle. They then drove to a local shopping center thinking that area would be safe because people were in the area where they called police. Ryans mother was transported to the hospital in critical condition. ¹

I am not quite sure what happened at the shopping center because the spokesperson from the Orange County Sheriffs Department referred to the mall as crime scene number 2.

After shooting his estranged wife he took with their son, Ryan. Lonnie Ramos is believed to be armed and dangerous.

Victim, Ryan Ramos is a 9-year-old White male with brown hair and brown eyes. He stands 49 tall and weighs approximately 85 lbs.

Suspect, Lonnie Ramos, is a White male, 63 tall and approximately 180 lbs. He has brown hair. When last seen he was wearing a tan baseball cap, blue shirt and khakis. He is believed to be traveling in one of two vehicles.

Vehicle 1: Red 1992 Porsche 911 with CA license plate 4BWU827

Vehicle 2: White 2004 Chevy SUV with CA license plate 5LTC712.
Updates:

2p.m. PST: Police are now saying that according to a witness account, Lonnie Ramos ditched the vehicle he was last seen driving and rented a 39 foot purple and gold Fleetwood Providence motor home with license plate number, 5EGW556. It is believed Ramos rented the motor home earlier in the week. Police are also checking reports he may have tried unsuccessfully to purchase two plane tickets at John Wayne Airport.

Also, according to Ramos roommate, Ramos and his wife have been going through a very ugly custody fight. There have also been money problems for Ramos since losing his job. The house he and his friend bought together a few years ago is up for sale.²

Police are concerned for Ryans safety because they believe this was a planned abduction and the shooting is considered lying in wait. He is still believed to be armed and dangerous.

If you see the Fleetwood RV, suspect or the child call 911 immediately.

July 4, 2008 - 11:30p.m.: Ryans grandmother is expected to make a public plea tomorrow morning during a news conference. Also, a reward amount is to be announced.

July 5, 2008 - 2p.m. PST: This story is not getting any better. The motor home rented by Lonnie Ramos on the day of the shooting and abduction has been located abandoned in a town near Yuma, Arizona. Furthermore, reports from witnesses place Lonnie and his son Ryan crossing the border into Mexico. Police believe parking the motor home in Yuma may have been a trick to throw them off the track.

Ramos other two vehicles are still missing. There is still the possibility that Ramos double-backed into the US.

The boys mother is expected to make a full recovery from the gunshot injuries to her face.³

July 6, 2008 - 10:45p.m. PST: The search for Ryan is over and has ended successfully. Ryan is now in the custody of the embassy in Juarez, Mexico. He is uninjured.

As far as his father is concerned, there is word there was some sort of traffic accident. Authorities are not sure if Lonnie Ramos was the victim of that accident, although the description matches that of Ramos.

Ryans mother remains hospitalized and her condition has been upgraded to good. She is expected to survive.⁴

I am glad this Amber Alert turned out successfully. I hope they can prosecute Lonnie Ramos. I wonder if the traffic accident was a fatal accident.

July 7, 2008 - 2p.m. PST: Police confirmed this afternoon that Lonnie Ramos is deceased. They say he was involved in a fatal traffic accident. It is not clear whether he was driving the vehicle and crashed it on purpose or if he was a pedestrian who walked purposely into traffic. Either way, his ex-wife will no longer have to live in fear for her life.

Ryan has returned to the Orange County, California area and has visited with his mother in her hospital room.

Before Lonnie Ramos death he dropped Ryan off at a LDS Church in Juarez and then phoned his father in Washington, DC, notifying him of Ryans location. The father in turn phoned authorities in California.⁵