North Carolina Man Charged After 16-Year-Old Shot in the Face During Sleepover

CHARLOTTE, NC — A 16-year-old boy is fighting for his life after being shot in the face during a sleepover in Charlotte, where police say a 20-year-old man brought two firearms into the home and pulled the trigger.

Victim Identified as Jeremiah Gonzalez

The victim has been identified as Jeremiah Gonzalez, 16, who was shot in the right temple and right upper arm during the early morning hours of Sunday, September 21.

He was taken to Carolina Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. According to a GoFundMe set up by his family, doctors have told them Gonzalez is unlikely to survive.

Suspect: Yosue Ramos

According to an arrest affidavit, 20-year-old Yosue Ramos was at the sleepover as a guest of a 21-year-old man and his teenage brother, who were hosting friends at their home.

• Ramos allegedly brought two firearms with him.
• The teenage brother told police that Ramos retrieved one gun from a dresser, pointed it at Gonzalez, and shot him.
• Ramos then fled as the teenage brother called 911.

The older brother attempted to render aid while emergency crews responded.

History of Reckless Behavior With Guns

The teenage brother also told police that Ramos had a history of pointing unloaded firearms at them and pulling the trigger as a form of reckless play.

In this case, investigators said Ramos used a Smith & Wesson 9 mm handgun that was later determined to be stolen.

Arrest and Charges

Police tracked Ramos to an SUV he used to leave the scene and arrested him.

He now faces charges of:

• Assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury
• Possession of a stolen weapon

Ramos is being held in the Mecklenburg County Jail on $100,000 bond.

His next court date is scheduled for October 7.

Community and Family Response

The Gonzalez family shared on GoFundMe that Jeremiah’s shooting has devastated them, writing that the teen had dreams of finishing high school and pursuing college.

Community members in Charlotte have expressed outrage that an unsecured, stolen gun led to such a devastating outcome.

Stay with ChicagoMusicGuide.com for continuing updates on this case and other local public safety news.