A 25-year-old man pleaded guilty Tuesday in Santa Barbara County Superior Court to first-degree murder in connection with a 2017 homicide in northwest Santa Maria.

Jonathan Isaiah Limon changed his plea in connection with the fatal shooting of Edward Jonathan Ramirez, 19, on Lazo Way.

At about 12:45 a.m. on Sept. 3, 2017, officers were dispatched to a report of shots fired on the 2000 block of Lazo Way, according to the Santa Maria Police Department.

Last year, Limon was returned from Mule Creek State Prison to Santa Barbara County to face charges for the Lazo Way killing.

In March 2025, the District Attorney’s Office announced the filing of new charges related to the fatal shooting of Ramirez.

At the time of the fatal shooting, Limon was 16 years old, putting the case in Juvenile Court before a judge ordered the defendant to be tried as an adult.

He had been in state prison since a 2019 trial for other violent crimes. In that trial, Limon was found guilty of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon and other charges. The convictions landed him in state prison for a sentence of 40 years to life.

The prior charges involved three separate attacks, including stabbing a rival gang member nine times.

In the newer case, Limon faces a sentence of 25 years to life in state prison.

“Although nearly nine years have passed since Edward Ramirez was murdered, today’s guilty plea brings this case to a close and provides long-awaited accountability,” District Attorney John Savrnoch said.

“I want to thank Detectives Michael Parker and Felix Diaz of the Santa Maria Police Department for their persistence throughout this investigation, as well as Senior Deputy District Attorney Madison Whitmore for her dedication to seeing this case through to its resolution. Their hard work made today’s outcome possible.”

Limon is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 4 before Santa Maria Judge Kristy Imel.

He remains in the custody of the Santa Barbara County Jail and is being held without bail.