Teen charged with capital murder of Houston softball coach

HOUSTON — A softball coach was shot to death outside his home on Easter Sunday. More than two months later, Houston police arrested and charged a 15-year-old with capital murder in connection with her death.

Ivan Ramirez, a 42-year-old father, coached softball in southeast Houston for many years. His life was cut short on Easter Sunday after receiving a notification that his truck door was open.

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He came out of his apartment and was shot. His son Manny Ramirez and his mother found Ivan shot to death.

“It was really traumatic. It will be the worst day of my life,” Manny Ramirez said.

The suspects did not take anything from the truck. Instead, they took Ivan away from his family. Ivan later died in hospital.

“A big ball of energy, everyone loved him and loved being around him,” Manny said.

For weeks, the Ramirez family worried because their loved one’s killer was on the loose.

Now HPD has made an arrest.

“A sigh of relief. I kind of go out every day, I think about it. If that person was still out there,” Manny said.

A teenager now faces capital murder charges, something 17-year-old Manny and his family are still shocked to hear.

“I just can’t believe someone that young would do something like that. You should be in school or playing sports. Doing something better with your life than trying to go out and killing people,” Manny said.

Now, these teenagers hope that justice will be served for their father.

“He ruined his life and took our lives too. If he lives out the rest of his life. We too feel trapped. We don’t have our father with us. We don’t have our mentor, our coach with us,” Manny said.

The siblings must now continue to live their lives without their father.

“I want to carry it with him when I play,” said Ivanney Ramirez, Ivan’s daughter.

These teenagers will carry on their father’s legacy on and off the field.

“I come here. I train every day, I practice every day and I try to be like him. He was the best man I knew. I want to be half the man he was was,” Manny said.

Manny and his siblings believe other people were involved and are hoping someone will come forward with additional information.

If you have any information, you are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers or HPD homicide investigators.

HPD said its investigation is ongoing.

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