South Sound double-murder suspect now one of FBI’s 10 Most Wanted fugitives
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- Samuel Ramirez Jr. has been added to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.
- Ramirez is accused of killing two bartenders in Federal Way in 2023.
- One of the victims graduated Spanaway High School, according to the Seattle Times.
A 33-year-old man accused of killing two bartenders in Federal Way has been added to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives, becoming the 12th local case ever on the list, officials announced Tuesday.
Samuel Ramirez Jr. allegedly fatally shot Katie Duhnke, 37, and Jessyca Hohn outside their workplace, the Stars Bar and Grill, in May 2023 and injured a patron. Hohn, 36, graduated from Spanaway Lake High School, The Seattle Times previously reported.
Ramirez, who has been charged with murder, attempted murder and fleeing to avoid prosecution, was driven to Mexico following the killings and has since eluded law enforcement, according to the FBI. He is 6 feet tall and 200 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He has tattoos on several parts of his body, including a lion’s face on his right wrist and forearm.
Now, Ramirez becomes the 538th addition to the FBI’s most-wanted list, which was created in 1950, according to W. Mike Herrington, special agent in charge of the FBI Seattle field office.
“This list has proven to be a powerful tool for locating and capturing the country’s most dangerous and elusive offenders,” Herrington said during a livestreamed news conference at Federal Way City Hall.
The FBI is offering up to $1 million in reward for information leading to Ramirez’ capture. He’s the first individual added to the list since the FBI increased the standard award amount from up to $250,000.
There have been 11 prior FBI Seattle cases in the list’s history, including one of the list’s earliest: In April 1950, escaped McNeil Island prisoner Henry Clay Tollett was overall fugitive No. 13, according to a document provided by FBI Seattle.
Ramirez is the first FBI Seattle case since Mexican drug cartel boss Rafael Caro-Quintero was placed on the list in 2018, the document shows.
Other local instances include Santiago Villalba Mederos, who was arrested in 2020 in connection to two fatal shootings several years earlier in Tacoma, and Darren Dee O’Neall, who was convicted of killing a Pierce County woman in 1987 and other crimes.
Five hundred of the 538 total fugitives who have appeared on the list have been apprehended or located, with seven being arrested in the Seattle area and one in Spokane, Harrington said.
“And now through this Top 10 designation, people all over the world will know that Samuel Ramirez Jr. has fled from the law and they will be looking for him,” Harrington said. “He cannot hide forever, and I’m confident he will return to King County to face justice.”
Anyone with information about Ramirez should contact the nearest FBI office or local law enforcement agency, authorities said. Tips may be submitted toll free by phone at 1-800-225-5324 or online at Tips.FBI.gov. Individuals outside the United States should contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
