Phoenix Police arrested the suspected shooter two days later. Here’s what we know.
PHOENIX — A West Valley father is fighting for his life after being shot twice in the head.
Ramel Ross was reportedly leaving the barber shop where he works near 83rd Avenue and Indian School Road on Nov. 6 when a person dressed in all black approached his car and shot him several times.
“He was ambushed and shot twice in the head. He was going home to his family, to his son,” Sherri Ross-Mattingly said.
According to court records obtained by 12News, the suspect walked away after the shooting. Two days later, the suspect returned to a nearby gas station and asked the clerk if Ross was his favorite barber, before allegedly stating that he shot up his truck.
After the man left the store, the clerk reportedly locked the doors and called the police.
Officers arrested 36-year-old Gerrin Jones, who is facing several charges related to the shooting.
Ross’ family told 12News Ross and Jones knew each other.
“For us, this is a tragedy, a complete tragedy,” Ross-Mattingly said.
Ross remains in critical condition in the ICU. He’s undergone several surgeries, family said. One of the bullets was removed, but the other remains.
His family said doctors don’t yet know the full extent of his injuries.
“He is so, so resilient,” Ross-Mattingly said.
His family says Ross is a light in their life as a loving father, brother, and son. He’s also well-known in his community as a barber and a mentor for young men.
“He was a pillar of the community. Ramel, he was really a good, good guy. He loved his family and friends deeply,” Ross-Mattingly said.
His family is now asking for the community’s support in return, hopeful that prayers will help Ross through a difficult recovery.
“That is everything to our family, the support. It is going to be a very, very long recovery,” Ross-Mattingly said.
A fundraiser was created to help the Ross family cover medical expenses and rehabilitation costs.
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