Valentin Eli Ramirez, 16, was one of three teenagers killed in a shooting on January 10, 2020, in an orchard near Buena Vista Boulevard and South Fairfax Road in Kern County. Deputies answered multiple reports of gunfire shortly before 7 p.m. and found three teens with gunshot wounds; two were inside a vehicle and a third was in a nearby vineyard. All three were pronounced dead at the scene.

The Kern County Sheriff’s Office has characterized the triple killing as gang-related but has not released specific details about any gang involvement. Ramirez and one of the other victims, Raul Fernandez, were students in the Kern High School District; schools arranged grief counseling for affected students and staff. No suspects have been identified and no arrests reported, and investigators have asked anyone with information to come forward.

If anyone has information about that night or knew Valentin, the Sheriff’s Office wants to hear from you.