BRONX MAN IS CONVICTED OF MURDER IN THE 2003 SHOOTING DEATH OF AN UNARMED FATHER OF THREE

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today that a 22 year-old Bronx man has been convicted of murder and related weapons charges for the 2003 shooting death of a 40 year-old Bronx father of three at a local laundromat.

A jury found Raymond Ramirez, of 3300 Tieman Avenue, the Bronx, guilty of one count of Murder in the 2nd degree and one count of Criminal possession of a weapon in the 2nd degree, in the shooting death of Willie Brunson. Acting State Supreme Court Justice Seth Marvin set sentencing for Wednesday, May 25, 2005 in Part T27. Ramirez faces a term of up to 25 years to life imprisonment.

The murder occurred on the evening of November 30, 2003, after Ramirez became angry with Brunson for not holding a door open for an elderly lady who was exiting a Laundromat located at 3563 Boston Road. Following a brief argument between Ramirez and Brunson, Ramirez shot the victim once in the chest and fled. A witness testified that Ramirez later bragged about shooting Brunson after the deceased called him "little man."

The defendant was apprehended at his home a short time later. A 25 caliber semi-automatic weapon was recovered in the defendant's backyard. Ballistic tests concluded it was the murder weapon.

Assistant District Attorney Debra A. Guarnieri of the General Crimes Division is prosecuting this case.