San Marcos, CA — A 19-year-old man was arrested and charged with the fatal shooting of a teenage boy in a San Marcos strip mall last spring, authorities said. The arrest came after a federal fugitive task force intercepted the suspect at a major border crossing.
Adrian Francisco Ramirez was apprehended on Friday at the San Ysidro Port of Entry as he allegedly attempted to re-enter the United States. He is accused of the May 15 murder of 17-year-old Isaac Shekhayem, who was struck by gunfire while congregating with friends outside a shopping center.
The incident occurred shortly before midnight in the parking lot of the mall located along the 900 block of Los Vallecitos Boulevard. According to officials, a vehicle abruptly stopped near the group, and the shooter, now alleged to be Ramirez, exited the car and fired multiple shots. A bullet hit Shekhayem in the head, inflicting fatal injuries.
Helped by one of his friends, Shekhayem was urgently transported to Palomar Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries a short time later.
The motives leading up to the shooting have not been publicly disclosed by the authorities. The sheriff’s department has also not revealed what specific evidence directed their investigation towards Ramirez as a suspect in the weeks following the incident.
During a court hearing on Tuesday, Ramirez entered a plea of not guilty to charges of murder and discharging a firearm at an occupied vehicle. Legal proceedings are underway, and if convicted, Ramirez faces a potential life sentence, with a minimum of 50 years.
The case has deeply affected the local community, with residents expressing concern over safety and the rising incidents of gun violence affecting young individuals. Local community leaders have been prompted to address these concerns, advocating for increased policing and community engagement efforts to prevent such tragedies in the future.
As the legal process continues, the community and Shekhayem’s family await further details and hope for justice to be served in this distressing case. The unfolding court proceedings will likely provide additional insights into the events leading up to the tragic night of May 15.