A 25-year-old California woman and her 21-year-old boyfriend are accused of carrying out a brazen double homicide, gunning down the woman’s ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend on a residential street — while three young children sat just feet away inside a minivan.
Authorities say Princess Perez and her boyfriend, Ramses “Rex” Morales, were arrested this week in connection with the killings of Ruben Chavez, 31, and Evelyn Virgen, 28. Investigators allege the shooting unfolded amid an ongoing custody dispute between Perez and Chavez over their young son.
According to a news release from the San Diego Police Department, officers responded around 12:26 a.m. Monday to an anonymous call reporting two people lying motionless in the street in the 100 block of 27th Street in the Grant Hill neighborhood. The caller told dispatchers at least one of the victims appeared to be covered in blood.
When officers arrived, they found a man and a woman later identified as Chavez and Virgen. Both were pronounced dead at the scene from what police described as homicidal violence.
As officers secured the area, they made a horrifying discovery.
“Officers looked inside a vehicle parked near the victims and observed three young children, all under the age of 2, seemingly unharmed inside,” police said. The children were immediately placed into protective custody.
Morales appeared in court Thursday, where he pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder with special circumstances for multiple killings, along with three counts of child endangerment, according to local CBS and CW affiliate KFMB. Prosecutors allege Morales used a shotgun to kill both victims.
If convicted on the special circumstances murder charges, Morales could face the death penalty.
Perez is charged as an accessory to both murders. Prosecutors allege she drove Morales to the scene and later helped him flee across the border into Mexico. Authorities said the pair were arrested while attempting to reenter the United States through the San Ysidro Port of Entry.
According to local Fox affiliate KUSI, the investigation into Perez remains ongoing, and prosecutors have indicated additional charges could still be filed as evidence continues to be reviewed.
Court documents cited by the station revealed that Chavez and Perez were locked in a custody battle at the time of his death. Chavez reportedly had supervised visitation with their children and was seeking joint custody.
“It’s a complicated family situation,” an assistant district attorney told the court. “The investigation’s ongoing as to everybody’s respective relationships.”
The prosecutor added that the presence of children made the case especially devastating.
“They’ve been affected by horrible street violence,” the ADA said. “Our heart goes out to them and their families, and we’ll do our best to see that justice occurs in this case.”
A GoFundMe page created by Chavez’s cousin says the slain couple left behind nine children in total. The three youngest — including a 3-month-old boy named Ruben Jr. — were reportedly inside the vehicle during the shooting.
“They were present at the time of the tragedy and will carry the trauma of that day for the rest of their lives,” the page reads. The fundraiser aims to cover funeral costs and provide ongoing support for the children in the difficult years ahead.
Could face the death penalty???? What a joke, Kommiefornia, no chance of that happening. More likely a slap on the wrist and early release.
Probably illegals
Stupidity personified