FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitive Charged in Double Homicide Apprehended in Mexico

Samuel Ramirez Jr. is the Quickest Captured Ten Most Wanted Fugitive in the History of the List Samuel Ramirez Jr., 33, of Federal Way, Washington, was apprehended without incident on Tuesday, March 10, at 11:13 a.m. PT in Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico, only one hour and 13 minutes after being announced as the 538th addition to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. The previous record for shortest arrest time was Billie Austin Bryant, arrested in 1969 two hours after being added to the list. “Unlike the prior Administration, this Department of Justice is arresting the FBI’s Top Ten Most Wanted criminals as quickly as they are added to the list,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “President Trump has unleashed American law enforcement against the worst criminals in our country — Director Patel is doing great work to Make America Safe Again.” “Samuel Ramirez Jr.’s apprehension is a direct result of the FBI’s relentless pursuit of justice for victims and their families,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “His senseless acts of violence placed him on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives List, and it is that same commitment to the victims that brought him to justice today. There is no border, no amount of time, and no place to hide from the full force of the FBI and its partners.” Ramirez Jr. is a U.S. citizen who was deported from Mexico to the United States to face murder charges in King County Superior Court. Ramirez Jr. returned to Washington state Wednesday night. His next court appearance will be his arraignment, which will be approximately two weeks after he is booked into jail in King County, Washington. Questions about the prosecution of this case should be directed to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Samuel Ramirez Jr. was wanted for his alleged involvement in the murders of two female victims on May 21, 2023, at the Stars Bar and Grill in Federal Way, Washington. A third person was also injured in the shooting. After the homicide, Ramirez Jr. was believed to have fled the state and country. Ramirez Jr. was considered armed and dangerous. On May 24, 2023, the King County Superior Court, State of Washington, issued an arrest warrant for Ramirez Jr. after he was charged with Murder in the First Degree, Murder in the Second Degree, and Attempted Murder in the First Degree. On Nov. 14, 2025, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Ramirez Jr. in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington after he was charged with Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution. On Dec. 10, 2025, the FBI announced a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to his arrest and conviction. On March 10, the FBI increased that amount and offered up to a $1 million reward. Ramirez Jr. was the first new individual added to the Ten Most Wanted Fugitives List to receive the new standard reward amount of up to $1 million, increased from the previous standard reward of up to $250,000. FBI Seattle credits the FBI’s Legal Attaché office in Mexico City, Mexico, Secretaria de Seguridad y Protección Ciudadana (SSPC), Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional (SEDENA), the Instituto Nacional de Migracion (INM), and the U.S. Attorney’s Office Western District of Washington in coordinating the apprehension of Ramirez Jr.