Federal Way murder suspect added to FBI’s 10 Most Wanted list
Mar 10, 2026, 2:00 PM | Updated: Mar 12, 2026, 8:52 am
Samuel Ramirez Jr. was added to the FBI's 10 Most Wanted fugitives list. (Photos courtesy of the FBI)
(Photos courtesy of the FBI)
A local murder suspect has been added to the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted fugitives list.
Federal Way Police Chief Andy Hwang said 31-year-old Samuel Ramirez Jr. is accused of shooting and killing two women at the Stars Bar and Grill in May 2023.
A third person was injured in that shooting.
“This senseless act of violence deeply impacted our community,” Hwang said at a news conference Tuesday morning. “And we will not rest until the killer, Samuel Ramirez, is in custody and justice is served.”
Authorities initially offered a $250,000 reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction. That reward has now increased to up to $1 million.
“Ramirez is the first new individual added to the 10 Most Wanted fugitives list to receive this new standard reward amount of up to $1 million — that’s an increase from the previous standard reward of up to $250,000,” Mike Harrington, the Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office, said. “We encourage anyone who has information about his whereabouts or tips that may lead to his arrest to contact law enforcement immediately. We want to emphasize that individuals should not take any action themselves. Ramirez should be considered armed and dangerous.”
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Federal Way murder suspect fled to Mexico
After the homicide, Ramirez Jr. fled to Lake Havasu City, Arizona, and was driven into Tijuana, Mexico, on May 23, 2023, authorities said.
He was charged with murder in the first degree, murder in the second degree, and attempted murder in the first degree. Last November, a federal arrest warrant was issued after he was charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.
“He cannot hide forever, and I’m confident he will return to King County to face justice,” Harrington said.
On May 21, 2023, Katie Duhnke and Jessyca Hohn were gunned down along with a man at the bar. The man survived.
According to KIRO 7, when the bartenders reportedly confronted Ramirez about bringing a gun into the bar, the situation escalated into a physical confrontation in the parking lot, and Ramirez allegedly shot and killed Duhnke and Hohn.
Frank Lenzi is the News Director for KIRO Newsradio. Read more of his stories here.
