DOB: 02/13/2007

Case Number: 2024-0192-CF

Young Guns Defendant Convicted of First-Degree Murder

PALATKA – After a two-day trial, a Putnam County jury found Young Guns defendant Ramon Gomez-Hernandez Jr. guilty as charged of First-Degree Murder (Firearm), two counts of Attempted Second-Degree Murder (Firearm), Aggravated Assault (Firearm), and Possession of a Firearm by a Juvenile Delinquent.

On June 30, 2023, Gomez-Hernandez, who was only 16 years old at the time, drove up to a planned fight on Kane Road in Palatka and shot three people. One of the victims died while being rushed by a witness to the hospital. The two other victims were seriously injured and are still dealing with long-term effects.

The vehicle the defendant drove to the scene crashed and was left behind. When detectives executed a search warrant on the vehicle, they found a cell phone belonging to Gomez-Hernandez, a black ski mask, and a handgun with ammunition still in it, which matched the cartridge casings found at the scene.

Forensic evidence was also recovered from the vehicle. Florida Department of Law Enforcement lab results show DNA from the steering wheel, handgun, and ski mask matched the defendant’s DNA profile.

“The defendant is part of a violent group of young people who show an absolute disdain for the sanctity of life,” State Attorney R.J. Larizza said about the case. “This group of ‘Young Guns’ is responsible for the lion’s share of gun violence we see today. They must be removed from our communities for as long as the law allows. “

The case was investigated by the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office. Chief of Homicide Jason Lewis and Assistant State Attorney Alexander Gilewicz successfully prosecuted the case for the State of Florida. The Honorable Alicia Washington presided over the case and will pronounce sentence at a later date. Gomez-Hernandez faces mandatory life in prison for the First-Degree Murder conviction.