Two suspects are on the lam following charges in connection to a deadly Houston shooting that claimed the life of a 26-year-old man last November. The fugitives, identified as Joseph Refugio Ramos, 18, and Izavian Bell, 17, have been slapped with murder charges for the fatal encounter that unfolded in the early hours on West 34th Street, according to authorities.
The victim, Dominique Rice, was found riddled with bullets on a sidewalk following quickly to a hail of gunfire around 3:50 a.m. on November 12. Despite the best efforts of the Houston Fire Department paramedics, Rice was pronounced dead at the scene, officials relayed.
In a news release provided by the City of Houston, a witness described a chilling encounter when several suspects emerged from a vehicle, one of whom pulled out a pistol and shot Rice multiple times. The culprits then made their escape without a trace, leaving the witness, who managed to run and hide, unharmed.
Ramos was first to be tagged as a suspect and had murder charges filed against him on January 2, 2024. Bell was later pegged to also be directly involved in Rice's death, and officials, after contact with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, issued a murder charge against him on March 17. The search is still on to bring the duo to justice as they currently remain at large, authorities detailed.
Investigators are calling on anyone with any tips or leads to step forward and contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600. Those wishing to provide information anonymously have the option to call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
