Iron County officials have reported the arrest of 19-year-old Juan David Ramirez following an altercation at a local plant nursery that could have turned deadly. Ramirez, purportedly a gang member, now faces charges including attempted murder and possession of a controlled substance after an incident involving a knife unfolded at MilGro Nursery in Newcastle, as per FOX 13.
Initial reports from the deputies indicate that Ramirez declared association with the 18th Street gang and claimed interaction with the notorious MS13. It was during a supposed confrontational moment that Ramirez alleged that an attempted stabbing against him by another gang member occurred. However, the arrival of a vehicle carrying a cousin of the altercation's apparent victim presented a contradicting narrative. This driver exposed Ramirez's own escalation with a knife, according to ABC4.
The situation escalated to Ramirez being handcuffed after allegedly stating, "That f—r is lucky they came and helped him 'cause I was going to kill him," as claimed in a court document obtained by ABC4. Upon his arrest, a search by the sheriff’s deputies turned up methamphetamine concealed on his person.
The victim recounted a harrowing experience of sitting in the breakroom before being chased by Ramirez, wielding a knife. During the ensuing scuffle on the ground, the victim felt the knife's pressure against his side, a sensation corroborated by an intervening witness. Despite these claims, there were no physical injuries resulting from being cut or stabbed, with this and other details reported by St. George News. Ramirez is now being held without bail as the Iron County Jail processes the serious charges against him.
