TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A man accused of fatally shooting a father of five in a fit of road rage was ordered Tuesday to remain in jail until trial, according to the State Attorney’s Office.
A judge agreed with prosecutors that Jorge Ramirez, 20, is a danger to the community.
Bryan Proenza, 34, was driving a Chevy Suburban with his fiancé and two young children when they encountered Ramirez near Rose Lane and Baytree Drive.
Ramirez reportedly became angry because he couldn’t pass Proenza to cut through a parking lot to avoid a red light, according to Proenza’s fiancé, who testified in the hearing.
Ramirez allegedly rammed Proenza’s car multiple times before they stopped in a residential area and he opened fire, according to prosecutors.
Proenza was rushed to the hospital with multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead.
Detectives said Proenza’s 10-year-old son warned his dad that Ramirez had a gun before his dad got out of the car, according to the State Attorney’s Office. The 10-year-old shielded his brother from gunfire.
Evidence showed Ramirez was stopped more than 20 feet behind the victim’s car when he opened fire. Ramirez allegedly said, “Watch this,” before fatally shooting Proenza, according to prosecutors.
“The only way to protect the citizens of Hillsborough County from this defendant is to ensure he remains behind bars until trial,” State Attorney Suzy Lopez said in a statement.
Ramirez was charged with second-degree murder. If convicted, he faces up to life in prison.
