A 33-year-old San Pablo man found dead in his car Sunday has been identified by his loved ones as Luis “Luigi” Ramirez, an employee of the newly opened Balompie eatery in Richmond.
San Pablo police, who found Ramirez, are investigating his death as a homicide.
According to a Monday press release, Ramirez was found in his car at 2:27 p.m. in the 1600 block of 16th Street near Sutter Avenue just east of Rumrill Boulevard a couple of blocks away from Downer Elementary.
“Upon arrival, officers located a 33-year-old San Pablo resident inside a red Toyota,” San Pablo Public Information Officer James Laughter wrote. “The male was unresponsive and had apparent injuries.”
Laughter said that officers and Contra Costa County fire personnel “rendered medical aid” but Ramirez was pronounced dead at the scene. No suspects have been identified or arrested and an official cause of death has not been released.
On Monday, multiple social media posts on Facebook and Instagram identified Ramirez as an immigrant from El Salvador who attended a local church, Iglesia Pentecostal Vida Nueva in Richmond, and worked at the Balompie Sports Bar and Grill in the Hilltop mall neighborhood. A number of food sales events have been launched to support the family, including a pupusa sale at the church at 3725 Macdonald Ave. at 9 p.m. tonight.
On Tuesday, Balompie posted on Instagram in memory of Ramirez.
“It is with deep sorrow that the Balompie Sports Bar & Grill family mourns the passing of our dear colleague, Luis Ramirez,” the post reads. “His joy, kindness, and dedication left a special mark on our team. He was a hardworking person with a big heart, always wearing a friendly smile that endeared him to his coworkers and our customers alike. His passing reminds us that it does not take a long time to leave a lasting impact on the lives of others. We will miss you, Luigi. Thank you for being a part of our family.”
When Richmondside visited Balompie for a Nosh story about its September opening, reporter Kate Rauch, who recalls briefly exchanging greetings with him, was struck by how “loveable” Ramirez seemed.
“He was so warm and friendly, smiling at me,” Rauch said in an email.
The owners of the restaurant also emphasized how they’ve cultivated an environment of “camaraderie” among the employees and believed that supporting the employees was “above all,” including profits, even in lean times.
A GoFundMe campaign posted Tuesday by Maria Ramirez, who said she is his sister, aims to raise $26,000 to cover funeral expenses.
“He was well-known to many people in the cities of San Pablo and Richmond. Sadly, someone took his life in a very tragic way, and one is never prepared for this kind of pain and the process that follows,” she wrote.
His church posted a number of photos of Ramirez on Facebook Tuesday that appeared to show him being baptized.
“It is with deep sorrow that we mourn the passing of our beloved brother and friend, Luigi Ramirez, who was a part of our congregation and whom we will remember with great affection,” the church wrote.
how terrible! i hope they find the murderer…though it’s cold comfort for his family and friends. This is so sad….