Federal Way man on FBI’s Top 10 Most Wanted captured in Mexico, returned to Seattle

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced Thursday that it had apprehended Samuel Ramirez Jr., a Federal Way man recently added to the FBI’s Top 10 Most Wanted List.

The 33-year-old Ramirez Jr. was apprehended in Sinaloa, Mexico, one hour and 13 minutes after being added to the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted Fugitives list, FBI Seattle announced.

Ramirez Jr. was on the run for nearly three years from his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of two female victims at a Federal Way bar in 2023.

Following the alleged murders on May 21, 2023, Ramirez Jr. was believed to have fled the country and was formally charged with the murders on May 24, 2024. A federal arrest warrant was issued in November 2025.

On Thursday morning, Ramirez Jr. returned from Mexico and landed in Seattle, where he will face justice. He was taken into custody by the Federal Way Police.

“This is yet another most wanted high-value target captured under this FBI and @TheJusticeDept with President Trump’s leadership,” FBI Director Kash Patel posted to X.

🚨🚨 CAPTURED: Another FBI Most Wanted – Samuel Ramirez Jr., apprehended in Sinaloa, Mexico.

Ramirez was on the run for nearly 3 years for his alleged involvement in the murder of two female victims May 21, 2023. After the alleged murders, he was believed to have fled the… pic.twitter.com/UfZLWXkQsR

— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) March 12, 2026

Shooting at Federal Way’s Stars Bar and Grill left two women dead, one man injured

Ramirez Jr. is accused of shooting and killing two women at the Stars Bar and Grill in May 2023. Katie Duhnke and Jessyca Hohn were gunned down along with a man at the bar. The man was injured but 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.

“This senseless act of violence deeply impacted our community,” Federal Way Police Chief Andy Hwang said at a news conference Tuesday morning. “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 since increased to up to $1 million.

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,” Mike Harrington, the Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office, previously said.

Contributing: Frank Lenzi, KIRO Newsradio

Follow Jason Sutich on X. Send news tips here.