Three toddlers were found alive inside a parked minivan after their parents were shot dead on a San Diego street, a court has heard, in a case prosecutors say stemmed from a bitter custody dispute that turned lethal.
Police were called to the 100 block of 27th Street in the Grant Hill neighbourhood shortly after midnight on Monday following reports of two people lying motionless in the road. When officers arrived, they found a man and a woman suffering fatal injuries. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
Children Found Alive at the Scene
As officers secured the area, they checked a vehicle parked close to the victims and discovered three young children inside. All were under the age of two and appeared physically unharmed, according to the press release from San Diego Police Department. The children were taken into protective custody as investigators began piecing together what happened.
Authorities later identified the victims as Ruben Chavez, 31, and Evelyn Virgen, 28. Investigators said both died as a result of homicidal violence following what appeared to be a targeted street shooting.
Suspects Charged With Double Murder
A 21-year-old-man, Ramses 'Rex' Morales, has been charged with two counts of murder with special circumstances, including allegations of multiple murders. He also faces three counts of child endangerment in relation to the children found at the scene.
As cited by CBS8, Morales pleaded not guilty during his initial appearance on Thursday. Prosecutors allege he used a shotgun to kill both victims. If convicted of special circumstances murder, Morales could face the death penalty under California law.
Alleged Role of the Children's Mother
Princess Perez, 25, who is Chavez's former partner and the mother of his child, has been charged as an accessory to both murders. Prosecutors allege Perez drove Morales to the location of the shooting and later helped him flee across the border into Mexico.
Authorities said the pair were arrested while attempting to return to the United States through the San Ysidro port of entry. Investigators confirmed Perez remains in custody as the case against her continues to develop, with officials saying additional charges remain possible as evidence is reviewed.
Custody Battle at the Centre of the Case
Court documents obtained by local media indicate Chavez and Perez were involved in an ongoing custody dispute at the time of the killings. Chavez was reportedly limited to supervised visits with his children and had been seeking joint custody through the courts.
An assistant district attorney described the situation as a 'complicated family dynamic', telling the court that investigators are continuing to examine the relationships between everyone involved in the case.
Impact on the Children
Prosecutors stressed that the presence of the children at the scene elevated the severity of the alleged crimes. Although unharmed, officials said the toddlers were exposed to extreme violence.
'They have been affected by horrible street violence,' the assistant district attorney said in court, adding that the case was a 'terrible situation' because of the number of children involved.
Community Response and Fundraising Efforts
A GoFundMe page launched by Chavez's cousin said the couple left behind nine children in total. The fundraiser stated that the three youngest children, including a three month old baby, were present during the shooting and would live with the trauma of that night for years to come.
The campaign aims to cover funeral costs and provide long term support for the children. 'Any contribution, no matter the amount, is deeply appreciated,' the organiser wrote, as the community continues to grapple with the aftermath of the killings.
The investigation remains ongoing as prosecutors prepare for the next court hearings in a case that has shaken the Grant Hill neighbourhood and raised renewed concerns about domestic disputes escalating into deadly violence.
