Police name suspect in double murder

Summary

Bakersfield police on early Monday found two dead men inside an apartment complex on the 1700 block of Brundage Lane. Two other people suffered injuries that weren't considered life-threatening. Police named 30-year-old Lupe Ramos as a suspect.

Story Created: May 25, 2009 at 10:07 AM PDT

Story Updated: May 26, 2009 at 10:34 AM PDT

Police name suspect in double murder

Murder suspect Lupe Ramos (photo provided by Bakersfield police)

EDITOR'S NOTE: The attached video was broadcast during the 5 p.m. Monday newscast, which was before a suspect was identified.

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A Bakersfield family nervously gathered Monday at the corner of Brundage and H streets as they waited to find out if one of the two murder victims inside an apartment complex at 1729 Brundage Lane was their loved one.

The bad news came when police homicide investigator Sgt. Joe Aldana confirmed the family's fears. The family broke down with sobs and disbelief.

"I knew it was going to be my son," said a woman who said she was the mother of one of the victims, 29-year-old Manuel Joe Montijo. She spoke on condition of anonymity.

The other murder victim was identified as 27-year-old Juan Carlos Martinez.

Police responded to a report of a shooting around 3:30 a.m. at the apartment complex. They found the two dead men inside an apartment and two other people suffering from injuries that weren't considered life-threatening.

A woman identified as 26-year-old Nicole Marie Rodgers suffered an unspecified injury. She was treated and released from KMC.

Jose Salgado, 37, suffered an unspecified head injury as the victim of a "physical assault," according to police. He was listed in fair condition.

Police thought early on that at least one suspect was held up in the apartment building. A SWAT team searched the apartment, but no one was found.

Monday night, police named 30-year-old Lupe Ramos as a suspect. He was described as 5-foot-6 and about 200 pounds. Ramos might be driving a white 2005 Ford Taurus with California license plate No. 6AHK223.

It's unclear if police are seeking more than one suspect.

No motive has been determined for the possible shooting.

The incident is the latest in a string of alleged murders in Kern County in just two days. Early Sunday morning, three people were apparently murdered in separate incidents.

Anyone with information helpful to the investigation is asked to call police at (661) 327-7111.