News Release

WARSAW — A 20-year-old male is in critical but stable condition at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne, following an early morning shooting in Warsaw. The name of the victim has not been released by police.

The victim was taken to Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital where he was stabilized before being flown to Fort Wayne. He is in the intensive care unit.

Two people have been arrested.

Michael Raul Ramirez, 18, 540 E. Main St., Warsaw, has been arrested and preliminarily charged with criminal recklessness with a weapon, pointing a firearm, and battery with a deadly weapon, all felony charges. Ramirez reportedly discharged the firearm.

Also arrested was Alonso Miguel Contreras, 21, 3700 Shawnee Drive, Warsaw. He is charged with battery causing moderate bodily injury, a felony. Contreras reportedly struck Ramirez with brass knuckles.

Bond was set at $5,250 surety and cash for each one.

At approximately 12:40 a.m. Saturday, April 8, Warsaw Police responded to a report of “shots fired” at 139 E. Baker St. When they arrived they found the victim suffering from a gunshot wound to the back. Evidence suggested the shot was a contact wound — point blank range. He was cared for by Lutheran EMS and Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory personnel.

Several subjects were on scene and initially detained during the investigation.One subject was taken into custody in the rear of the residence and later determined to be the alleged shooter.  Initial reports were a physical fight broke out in the front yard of the residence, when several subjects arrived at the residence. During the physical fight, a firearm was discharged. That weapon had been placed into a vehicle at the residence. The weapon, along with the vehicle, was seized as evidence in this case.

During the investigation, officers observed an injury to the suspect’s head.  Further investigation revealed this was done during the initial fight and believed to have been done with the use of brass knuckles. Officers utilized a ladder, and in searching the roof of the residence, located a set of brass knuckles, also taken into custody as evidence.

The remaining subjects were interviewed and released.

This is an active and on-going investigation.