Nearly two years after a deadly truck theft in Pasadena, the family of coach Ivan Ramirez says a juvenile suspect has taken a plea deal and been sentenced to 10 years in prison. The family says the sentence brings some closure, but it doesn’t end Ramirez’s impact, according to FOX 26 Houston.
Ramirez’s oldest son, Manny, now runs the Texas Magic program and coaches more than 50 athletes in Houston. His other children are still playing and coaching in college and travel sports. The shooting deeply hurt the community, but families and players are honoring Ramirez by keeping his teams and scholarship program going, as per FOX 26 Houston.
Sentencing in Death of Pasadena Coach
The family told reporters that the juvenile accepted a plea deal on Feb. 5 and received a 10-year term in the case, a development reported by FOX 26 Houston. Because the defendant is a minor, the District Attorney’s office declined to release specific details of the proceedings, the outlet noted. While the sentence closes a criminal chapter for the Ramírez family, the coaches and players who knew Ivan say their attention has shifted to keeping his coaching ethos alive on the fields.
How the Shooting Unfolded
The shooting took place on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024, when Ramirez, who family members say was alerted that his truck had been opened, went outside and was shot. He died weeks later on April 17, 2024, after multiple surgeries, according to reporting at the time by ABC13. Police told local outlets they arrested a 15-year-old in June 2024 in connection with the case, although juvenile records have kept public details limited. The family and players held vigils and fundraisers last spring as Ramirez fought for his life and later after his passing.
Family Keeps His Coaching Alive
Manny Ramirez has turned a career-ending injury into a new calling, running his father’s organization out of downtown Houston and attracting amateur and pro clients as a hitting instructor, the family told FOX 26 Houston. His sister Ivanney plays at Ursuline College, and the siblings are helping coach Texas Magic teams in Pasadena, preserving the pipeline their father built that led dozens of players to college scholarships. Parents and players say the program’s routines and recruiting focus are the clearest way to honor Ivan’s work while the family awaits any further court developments…