18-year-old Ramiro Alvarado was shot in the chest Monday night. Witnesses say a group of armed young men ambushed a home, firing multiple shots.
SAN ANTONIO — We’re learning new details involving a deadly west side ambush Monday evening.
An 18-year-old who was shot in the heart is being hailed a hero for his actions that night.
Witnesses say the young man died shielding others from gunfire.
San Antonio Police say there could be several suspects, none of whom have been caught.
In the meantime, the family of Ramiro “Mimo” Alvarado spent their Friday preparing a plot of land at San Fernando Cemetery III. There, Alvarado will be laid to rest next to his family members.
“He was the perfect son. He was the perfect brother,” said Cecilia Saucedo, describing her son, 18-year-old Ramiro Alvarado. “I feel for everybody who has had to suffer through this nightmare. It’s a nightmare.”
At his young age, Alvarado was already known as the caregiver. Loved ones say he always made sure everyone had what they needed.
“The sweetest, kindest soul ever,” said Alvarado’s older sister, Nayeli. “You just look at him and you want to talk to him…I’m very proud to be his sister.”
One of nine siblings, Alvarado could make anyone laugh.
“He’d be like, ‘Straighten my hair! Do something with my hair!’ So I’d straighten it and it would just all be up,” Nayeli explained, laughing.
“He was such a girl!” she continued, smiling.
“Yeah, I would call him queen!” chimed in Alvarado’s girlfriend, Nazaree Martinez.
“He liked it,” added Nayeli. “He is so sassy!”
Family members say Alvarado also embraced the part of protector. Loved ones say he had a soft spot for his youngest sibling, 11-year-old Elijah.
Nayeli showed us a video on her phone where Alvarado is seen dancing with Elijah to one of their favorite songs. The “shimmy” video is well known in the family.
“He was the most unserious serious person that I know,” said Nayeli, who loved getting multiple messages daily from her brother — all including random photos of what he was up to throughout the day.
“Protector” is a word Alvarado took to heart.
Around 6 p.m. Monday, he was at his girlfriend’s house on Adaes Avenue near Culebra. Witnesses told police between four and six males, appearing to be 15 to 18 years old, approached the house, guns in-hand.
“We were just sitting outside and these men come in my front yard and they had these big guns and they started pointing them at us,” Martinez recalled.
Martinez said she ran inside to alert her family, including her grandmother, telling everyone to drop to the floor. She called 911.
She remembers Alvarado running toward the back door.
“He wanted to lock the door to make sure [the suspects] didn’t come in. He pushed my siblings and my sister and locked the door. That’s when everything happened,” said Martinez. “He put his heart on the line to protect my loved ones. He only knew them for three years. That just shows you who he is as a person. Very brave, very heroic. A guardian angel.”
Alvarado was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. He died hours later.
Officers said multiple “rifle-caliber” shots were fired into the house. Investigators have yet to share a motive.
“He went out a hero,” said Nayeli.
Saucedo says after high school, Alvarado had plans to attend trade school to become a diesel mechanic. She says in June, Cooper Academy will have one of Alvarado’s family members walk the stage at graduation in his honor.
“He was too good to be in this horrible place,” said Saucedo. “He was too damn good to be here.”
Sunday, the family will host a plate sale to help with funeral expenses. The location will be at 5902 Fir Valley in San Antonio from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Plates will contain chicken, sausage, rice, beans, bread, jalapeno and a soda for $12.