Arizona police shooting suspect arrested, another remains at large after killing 1, wounding fiancee

A suspect was arrested Saturday in connection with a fatal home invasion shooting early Wednesday at a residence on Tucson’s southwest side that killed police recruit Carlos Ramirez and wounded his fiancée, a Pima County corrections officer, officials said. Deputies said the manhunt continued for at least two other suspects involved in the break-in, which prompted a multi-day investigation including surveillance review and vehicle recovery.

The suspect arrested Saturday morning is Santiago Jorge Rogers, 39, taken into custody by deputies at a hotel on South Palo Verde Road in Tucson, according to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department (PCSD). Rogers is being held without bond at the county jail on charges related to the murder of Carlos Ramirez and the wounding of Ramirez’s fiancée, officials said.

The arrest followed a multi-day investigation involving the review of surveillance footage, recovery and forensic processing of a gray SUV linked to the suspects, and analysis of physical and digital evidence, PCSD statements confirmed.

Despite Rogers’ arrest, the manhunt continues for at least two other suspects connected to the home invasion. One of those suspects, identified as Alex James Barnett, 33, remains at large and is considered armed and dangerous, authorities said. Barnett has a criminal history that includes prior burglary and weapons convictions, and he is also known by the alias Alex Wilson, court records show. He was last seen wearing a red shirt and black leather vest, riding a Harley-Davidson FLHX-S motorcycle, and is described as bald with distinctive arm tattoos. Law enforcement officials have issued a formal arrest warrant for Barnett, linking him directly to the fatal shooting of Ramirez and the injury to his fiancée.

Surveillance videos released by PCSD show Barnett with another suspect at a gas station minutes before the shooting, as well as a third unidentified man exiting the gray SUV believed to have been involved in the crime. The third suspect has not been publicly identified, and while investigators have contacted one man of interest, no arrest has been made, sources confirmed. Deputies recovered the gray SUV approximately 16 miles from the crime scene, and it is currently undergoing forensic examination.

The shooting occurred early Wednesday morning around 6 a.m. at the couple’s private residence on Tucson’s far southwest side. Deputies responding to the scene found Carlos Ramirez, a 23-year-old Tucson Police recruit, dead from gunshot wounds. His fiancée, also 23 and a Pima County corrections officer, was shot once and transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Officials described her condition as stable and expected to recover.

Investigators have treated the incident as a double-shooting homicide resulting from a home invasion rather than a domestic dispute or accidental shooting. Two masked gunmen were reported to have forced entry or been inside the home during the attack. The suspects’ use of ski masks and the presence of the gray SUV have been key elements in the ongoing investigation, according to PCSD.

The killing of Ramirez, who was training to become a police officer, has drawn attention from multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Tucson Police Department and Pima County corrections. Both agencies have coordinated investigative efforts and provided support to the injured corrections officer. Sheriff Chris Nanos held a press conference following the shooting, confirming the fatality and the search for multiple suspects involved in the attack.

Authorities have issued a Blue Alert for Barnett, signaling a serious threat to law enforcement and the public. The alert includes Barnett’s physical description and information about his alleged involvement in the murder of a police recruit. PCSD has urged anyone with information about Barnett or the other suspects to contact law enforcement through 911 or the anonymous tip line 88-CRIME.

The investigation remains active, with detectives continuing to pursue leads and gather evidence. Officials emphasized that Rogers’ arrest does not conclude the case, as Barnett and at least one other suspect remain at large. Law enforcement agencies have maintained heightened alert levels and are coordinating with surrounding jurisdictions to locate the fugitives.

The incident has underscored risks faced by members of the criminal justice community, with Ramirez’s death marking the loss of a law enforcement trainee and his fiancée’s injury affecting the Pima County corrections department. Authorities continue to investigate the motives behind the targeted home invasion and are working to piece together the full sequence of events leading to the fatal shooting and wounding.