Family remembers shooting victim as a peacemaker

Jed Boal reportingThe family of a man shot and killed at a weekend party says he was a peacemaker not an agitator. Robert Ramirez was killed outside a party near the University of Utah.

Ramirez's family is devastated by the loss of a son, brother and father. Their one comfort is that the four men accused in his death are in the Salt Lake County jail.

The victim's sister, Elizabeth Ramirez, said, "He was very peaceful, a very easy-going man; very patient."

A gunman shot and killed 26-year-old Robert Ramirez early Sunday. His family remembers him as a generous man who enjoyed being with his 3-year-old son, Robert Junior.

"He was there for his son. He really cared a lot about his son," Elizabeth said.

The family hears, but police won't confirm, that Ramirez went outside the off-campus party to sort out whether someone stole beer. "Somebody saw a gun. They turned around to go back into the house. By that time, three shots were fired, and my brother was killed," Elizabeth said.

Police arrested four men. University of Utah officials tell us none of those involved in the shooting attend the university.

Ramirez worked as a security guard at Lumpy's Sports Bar. Co-workers and friends think he was in the wrong place at the wrong time at 1 a.m. Sunday.

Friend and co-worker Jake Torres said, "I'm just heartbroken and feel bad for the family. He's just such a great guy [who] didn't deserve this at all." Ramirez's family struggles with answers for his young boy and the circumstances of Ramirez's violent death.

His sister said, "He was the one who would break up the fights. He wasn't an instigator. He was there to stop trouble."

A fundraiser is planned for Friday night at 7 p.m. at Lumpy's downtown. Money raised will help pay for funeral expenses and support for Ramirez's son. A memorial has been established at Mountain America Credit Union in the name of Robert Ramirez Junior.

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