LAPD responds to Giovanni Ramirez Press Conference NR12137ajs

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department stands by its actions in the arrest and incarceration of Giovanni Ramirez.  In this case, the LAPD followed standard, established police procedures throughout the investigation.  Giovanni Ramirez was never prosecuted for the beating of Bryan Stow.  

The tragic beating of Bryan Stow generated significant media and public interest.  In fact, more than 800 separate tips were received, logged and investigated by LAPD personnel in this case.

One of those tips, which came from a parole officer, led detectives to Giovanni Ramirez, a local resident on parole at the time, as a possible suspect.  Working diligently on that and other tips, the LAPD detectives located an eyewitness who positively identified Mr. Ramirez as the individual who attacked Mr. Stow.   Further investigation led detectives to a residence where Mr. Ramirez was staying.  Detectives gathered evidence and prepared a search and arrest warrant for him.  That warrant was signed by a judge, and resulted in the arrest of Mr. Ramirez and search of the residence.

During the search of that residence, officers found a loaded Beretta 92F semiautomatic pistol in proximity and accessible to Mr. Ramirez.  Mr. Ramirez was initially booked for the assault on Bryan Stow and a parole hold was obtained.  The charges based on the assault were never formally presented to the District Attorney for filing.  Mr. Ramirez was prosecuted for a parole violation and remanded back to prison by a judge based on his association with the firearm, not for the assault on Mr. Stow.

LAPD detectives continued their investigation, and ultimately arrested the two suspects involved in the beating of Bryan Stow.  Those individuals, Louie Sanchez and Marvin Norwood, are currently in custody awaiting trial.  Bryan Stow is still recovering from the assault.

Anyone with a tip regarding a crime can call during non-business hours or on weekends, 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247).  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.