A true tragedy in San Leandro continues to unfold as a story of love, community and giving. Joel Ramirez, a 21-year-old college student, was shot to death in his car outside his San Leandro home on December 14. He was an innocent victim killed in a tragic case of mistaken identity.

“Joel Ramirez was the unintended or misidentified victim in this senseless crime,” said San Leandro police Lt. Robert McManus. “Joel had absolutely nothing to do with any illegal criminal activity.”

More than an innocent victim, Ramirez was a young man who was greatly loved and respected by many people in the community.

“He was really loved by everyone,” said Delia Aceves, Joel's aunt and godmother. “He was a very loving, caring, funny guy who had a bright future. In his short life, he made a big impact on people's lives and he will always be remembered.”

Born and raised in San Leandro, Ramirez attended local schools and was studying criminal justice at Chabot College in Hayward. He wanted to become a police detective. Ramirez’s life goals have recently inspired an effort by neighbors, friends and family to establish a college scholarship in his name.

“A neighbor of Ramirez came to us and wanted to set up a school fund for a student,” says Chad Pennebaker, president of the San Leandro Scholarship Foundation. The foundation is now organizing the scholarship in Ramirez’s name and will host a fundraising dinner on April 17 at the San Leandro Public Library. In June, a large ceremony will be held where all high school students receiving a scholarship are invited. The foundation awards more than $130,000 per year to San Leandro students for their college education. 

The neighbor who contacted the San Leandro Scholarship Foundation was Rob Rich, who lives next door to the Ramirez family.

“We were neighbors, we watched Joel grow up - he was an awesome kid from an awesome family,” says Rich. “We are lucky to be their neighbors.”

Rich says there was a small group of people who wanted to do something positive to honor Joel’s memory. “With the foundation it was quite easy to get the scholarship going,” he says.

Rich is part of the committee that will choose a student to be awarded the scholarship – a student who embodies the qualities of Joel that are so greatly appreciated in the community.

“I think it’s a really great thing to do to remember Joel’s name and help put another kid through school,” says Aceves. “I hope that it can help more than one student.”

Ramirez’s girlfriend of two years, Laura Miller, balances her great sorrow with the joy of seeing Ramirez’s memory and spirit celebrated and honored by the community and the scholarship effort.

“I’m really happy,” says Miller of the scholarship in Ramirez’s name. “It’s great to see - to show how great he is. He really enjoyed college and it’s great to see that money will go to another student in Joel’s name, to do what they want to do.”

Contributions to the scholarship in Joel’s name can be sent to the foundation, noting that the money is for the Joel Ramirez scholarship fund. Mail to: San Leandro Scholarship Foundation, P.O. Box 1151, San Leandro, CA 94577

On February 17th the San Leandro City Council approved a $25,000 reward for information regarding the killing of Ramirez. San Leandro police detectives have explored several motives surrounding the case and are searching for leads in order to identify the person responsible. The $25,000 reward is being offered in order to help prompt someone to come forward with information that will lead to the arrest and criminal charging of the person responsible for the murder. Anyone with information is asked to call San Leandro police at (510) 577-3230(510) 577-3230 or an anonymous tip line at (510) 577-3278(510) 577-3278.