Linton man charged as shooter in weekend killing
21 year-old Isaiah Joseph D. Ramos of Linton has been charged with murder after a Sunday morning shooting in Bloomington. The incident took place around 2am at the 500 block of South Park Avenue, where a party was reported to be happening.
According to witnesses, Ramos and a couple of others were told they could not attend a party, at which time a fight ensued and a weapon was produced. Ramos allegedly shot into a crowd, striking two individuals before leaving. Bloomington Police Officers arrived, searched the area, and found 23-year-old Tyriq Bridgewaters with a fatal gunshot wound. Police also found a 19-year-old man who had been shot, receiving a non-life-threatening injury.
An Indiana State Trooper found the suspect during a traffic stop shortly after the incident, traveling away from the scene as the passenger of a vehicle being driven by someone believed to have been at the scene with Ramos. A handgun was found during a search of the vehicle. Ramos and his and his 2 unidentified friends were brought to Monroe County Jail after being interviewed by BPD.
The incident is still considered an active investigation, and there is a request for anyone that has any information about the matter to contact the Bloomington Police at 812-339-4477.
*Criminal Defendents are presumed innocent unless and until convicted by a court law
Repeat, Violent Felon sentenced to over 4 years in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing a Handgun
Michael Spencer, 31 of Indianapolis has been sentenced to 54 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to illegally possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon. According to court documents, on December 8, 2022, IMPD officers arrested Michael Spencer at a gas station on an outstanding warrant for intimidation of a domestic partner and a probation violation associated with a previous armed robbery conviction.
During a search of Spencer’s person, officers found a .40 caliber Glock 24 pistol with an extended magazine containing 20 live rounds in his waist band. Spencer was convicted of armed robbery in 2010 and 2015. These felony convictions prohibit Spencer from ever legally possessing a firearm.
“Abusers with guns pose an extreme danger to those closest to them. That’s why it’s so important to prosecute illegally armed criminals and disrupt the domestic violence cycle,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “This defendant continued to illegally carry a gun even after multiple armed robbery convictions and an outstanding warrant for domestic violence. The serious prison sentence imposed will protect the public from the defendant for several years and sends a message to him and others like him about the consequences of continuing to illegally carry guns.”
This case was brought as part of the LEATH Initiative (Law Enforcement Action to Halt Domestic Violence), named in honor of Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) Officer Breann Leath, who was killed in the line of duty while responding to a domestic disturbance call. A partnership among the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the IMPD, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana, the LEATH Initiative focuses federal, state, and local law enforcement resources on domestic violence offenders who illegally possess firearms.
Transparency at Indiana University
Indiana University has demonstrated its commitment to transparency, understanding and clarity with financial aid offers by joining the College Cost Transparency Initiative. All IU campuses (Bloomington, Indianapolis, East, Kokomo, South Bend, Southeast, and Northwest) are now displayed as partner institutions on the initiative’s website. Fort Wayne and Columbus are also included as IUPUI campus centers.
The College Cost Transparency Initiative was launched in September as a way to better meet the needs of students and families so they can make informed decisions about paying for higher education. Schools voluntarily commit to following principles and standards that ensure transparency and clarity regarding financial aid.
This involves using standardized, plain language to explain all aid offers. Also, schools must show a breakdown of the cost of attendance, including:
- In-state and out-of-state tuition and room-and-board costs.
- The type and source of financial aid.
- Student employment information, if offered.
- The semesters and terms of the aid offer.
- Next steps for students to accept aid if it must be accepted.
Cost of attendance information can be located under admissions on the “student central” web pages for various IU campuses. In addition to providing the breakdown of costs and types of financial aid, tools are provided to calculate estimated costs.
This Week in Hoosier History
1968 – Brendan Fraser American actor, born in Indianapolis. Fraser had his breakthrough in 1992 with the comedy Encino Man and the drama School Ties. He gained further prominence for his starring roles in the comedies With Honors and George of the Jungle and emerged as a star playing Rick O’Connell in The Mummy trilogy. He took on dramatic roles in Gods and Monsters, The Quiet American, and Crash, and further fantasy roles in Bedazzled and Journey to the Center of the Earth.
For more local news . . . Check out our archived episodes of What’s Happenin’ and Talkin’ Sports with Nick Jenkinson