Samuel Ramirez Jr., a suspect in the 2023 double murder of two women in Federal Way, Washington, was captured in Culiacán, Mexico, just one hour and 13 minutes after being added to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. His arrest marks the fastest capture in the history of the list.
Background of the Case
- Incident Date: May 21, 2023.
- Location: Stars Bar & Grill, Federal Way, Washington.
- Victims: Two bartenders were shot and killed; a male customer was injured.
- Cause: Investigators believe the shooting stemmed from a dispute earlier that night.
Fugitive Status
- Suspect: Samuel Ramirez Jr., 33 years old.
- Charges: First-degree murder, second-degree murder, and first-degree attempted murder.
- Flight: Authorities believed Ramirez fled to Mexico after the killings.
- Reward: Initially $25,000, later raised to $1 million when he was added to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list on March 10, 2026.
Capture
- Date & Time: March 10, 2026, at 11:13 a.m. PT.
- Location: Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico.
- Details: Arrested without incident, only 73 minutes after being named to the Ten Most Wanted list.
- Record: Fastest capture in FBI history, surpassing the 1969 arrest of Billie Austin Bryant, who was caught two hours after being listed.
Official Statements
- FBI Director Kash Patel: “There is no border, no amount of time, and no place to hide from the full force of the FBI and its partners.”
- Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell: Expressed condolences to victims’ families and praised law enforcement’s swift action.
- FBI Seattle Field Office: Emphasized commitment to justice for victims and their families.
- Extradition: Ramirez was deported to the U.S. and returned to Washington state on March 11, 2026.
- Legal Proceedings: He will face arraignment in King County Superior Court within two weeks.
The historic speed of Ramirez’s capture underscores the effectiveness of international cooperation and the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted program. For the community of Federal Way, the arrest brings hope for justice after nearly three years of uncertainty.
Source: FBI Most Wanted List
