Two teens shot to death at house party in Pierce County identified, ME reports
The two teens killed during a mass shooting in a Pierce County neighborhood two weeks ago have been identified, according to the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Hector Gonzalez Valdez, 19, and Joaquin Ramirez, 15, died March 29, 2025 near the 17800 block of 25th Avenue Court. Valdez died from a gunshot wound to the chest while Ramirez died from multiple gunshot wounds in the same area, the office wrote in a news release.
They died as a result of a homicide, the release said.
A 17-year-old boy has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm, court records show.
The teen has been charged automatically as an adult due to his age and the severity of the charges. During the teen’s arraignment March 31 at Pierce County Juvenile Court, Judge Joseph Evans ordered his name not be released by the news media. That was in response to a defense attorney’s argument that there were issues regarding the shooter’s identity. There were also concerns of retaliation.
Evans initially ordered the teen be held at Remann Hall on a $2 million bail. In a bail hearing Monday, Evans lowered his bail to $1 million, records show.
Relatives and mentors of the teen wrote letters to Evans, saying he is not a flight risk and requesting that his initial $2 million bail be reconsidered. The letters described the 17-year-old’s character, talking about his background and history.
“If released [the teen] would return to a stable and nurturing home and remain under strong guidance, both spiritually and practically,” according to a letter from a junior pastor of the church the teenager attended.
The teenager was previously convicted in February 2024 in King County for fourth-degree assault and second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm, records show. He was also convicted in the same month for two counts of third-degree assault.
A pretrial hearing has been scheduled for April 14 at the juvenile court.
Valdez and Ramirez were attending a house party that had about 40 to 50 people in attendance, according to charging documents. Video footage showed they were both speaking to the 17-year-old outside in the middle of the street when they were suddenly shot. One of the victims pulled out a gun and fired back.
Ramirez died at at the scene while Valdez died following an emergency surgery at the hospital, documents show. Four people were also injured during the shooting.
The 17-year-old was injured in the gunfire and was treated at a local hospital where he was detained.
Documents show that additional counts of first-degree assault will be filed if the investigation finds that the 17-year-old fired the shots that injured the other party-goers.
The motive for the shooting is unclear.
This story was originally published April 7, 2025 at 4:09 PM.
