Staff Reports
An Albuquerque man is facing charges from Gallup Magistrate Court after he reportedly shot at a man who refused to race him.
On May 3, around 10:15 pm, Gallup Police Officer Eric Mangum was on patrol when Metro Dispatch received a call about a man who reportedly shot at a vehicle while driving near the intersection of Highway 66 and Ford Drive. According to Mangum’s report, the suspect had been driving a black Dodge Charger with red trim on the headlights. The suspect was eventually identified as Jim Ramone, 21.
The victim said Ramone had tried to race him, but then began shooting at him.
Mangum reportedly located a black Dodge Charger in the area and conducted a traffic stop, but it ended up actually being the man who had called Metro Dispatch.
According to his report, Mangum didn’t find any bullet hole damage on the victim’s car.
About 30 minutes after the initial call came in, another Gallup Police Officer located the suspect vehicle near Domino’s Pizza, 915 E. Hwy. 66. The officer conducted a traffic stop.
When Ramone got out of his vehicle, he reportedly reached towards his pockets, and officers told him to show them his hands and get on the ground. Ramone complied, and was detained.
During the search of Ramone’s vehicle officers reportedly found a Smith and Wesson 9 mm handgun.
Ramone initially told officers that his name was “Phillip Ramone,” but he provided an “inconsistent” date of birth. According to Mangum’s report, Ramone had bloodshot, watery eyes, a strong odor of alcohol was coming off his breath, and he was unsteady on his feet. Mangum also allegedly saw multiple open alcoholic beverage containers inside his vehicle.
The firearm police found with Ramone had a 15-round magazine with seven live rounds remaining.
After Ramone was detained, Mangum eventually spoke to the victim, who said he was traveling eastbound on Highway 66 near Third Street in the right lane when Ramone reportedly pulled up alongside him in his vehicle.
Ramone allegedly looked like he wanted to race, and when the victim didn’t respond, he allegedly leaned out of the rear driver’s side window of his vehicle and fired his Smith and Wesson two times. The victim said Ramone fired the gun about four feet away from him.
The victim tried to get away from Ramone by weaving his vehicle through the streets. He said he was afraid for his life.
Ramone was arrested for aggravated assault (use of a deadly weapon), shooting at or from a motor vehicle, negligent use of a deadly weapon (under the influence of an intoxicant or narcotic), and concealing identity. His preliminary hearing in Gallup Magistrate Court was scheduled for May 13. No further information was available at press time.
