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1 arrest in Giants fan Bryan Stow beating, 2 others at large
Monday, May 23, 2011


Melissa MacBride
Recent Stories, News Team

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- One of the men suspected of beating a Giants fan nearly to death at Dodger Stadium is off the streets. The focus now turns to the two other suspects at large.


Police arrested 31-year-old Giovanni Ramirez in an east Hollywood apartment on Mariposa Avenue after serving two search warrants. Detectives and SWAT raided the apartment early Sunday morning. Several people were detained for questioning along with Ramirez.

Ramirez is a convicted robber on parole. Police said that they got the break they needed from a tip from a parole officer. Court documents reveal two "strikes" on his record. He was previously convicted of three felonies, including attempted robbery, robbery and public discharge of a gun.

Authorities believe that Ramirez was the main aggressor in the attack against Bryan Stow. He is charged with assault with a deadly weapon. In this case, his feet are the weapon. Authorities allege he kicked Stow in the head after the Dodgers home opener against the Giants on Marc h 31.

Police had been working on this case for 6,000 hours and received more than 600 leads. L.A. Police Chief Charlie Beck dedicated 20 full-time detectives to Stow's case.

"I got a phone call from my Chief of Operations Earl Paysinger," said Beck. "Words that I have been waiting for seven weeks. He said that we had Bryan's assault suspect in custody. This is a huge step."

A sketch of Ramirez and another suspect were plastered on billboards around Los Angeles. People in the neighborhood said they didn't know Ramirez was living on their block. But they're relieved police have made one arrest in the case so far.

"I'm glad our system works," said east Hollywood resident Allen Greenspan. "People do care deep down, the police cares. I don't care if it takes 10 years to find someone who beats a tourist. They should find that person eventually."

Stow remains in critical condition seven weeks after the attack. He was transported last week from L.A. County USC Medical Center to San Francisco General Hospital. His sister Bonnie Stow said that he is able to open his eyes and has not had any seizures, but that he is still in a coma.

His family spoke outside S.F. General Hospital Monday. They are elated to hear news of the arrest, and said that they never lost hope. Meantime, Giants President Larry Baer feels a sense of justice.


"Family and friends of Bryan, including the people who were with him that night, are very gratified by the fact that fans around the country have risen to the cause and said 'this is just intolerable,'" said Baer.

Police say that they are actively pursuing leads to apprehend other suspects at large, including the second suspected attacker, a male, and a female suspect they say was driving the getaway vehicle. She was described as wearing a white Andre Ethier Dodgers jersey with the number 16 on the back. A boy about 10 years old was also thought to be in the car as it drove away from the scene of the crime.

"You have to be able to count on your police department to solve crime," said Beck. "And to put thugs like this individual in jail. And that's what we've done."

Ramirez is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center on $1 million bail and is expected to be arraigned in court Tuesday.


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