Nine years after the fatal shooting of Edward Jonathan Ramirez, his family on Tuesday shared about the ongoing impact of their loss during the sentencing hearing for the man who pleaded guilty to killing the 19-year-old.

Last month, Jonathan Isaiah Limon, 25, changed his plea to guilty in Santa Barbara County Superior Court for the Sept. 3, 2017, shooting of Ramirez on the 2000 block of Lazo Way in northwest Santa Maria.

The killer remained unknown for years, but in March 2025, the District Attorney’s Office announced the filing of new charges related to the fatal shooting of Ramirez.

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

At the time of the fatal shooting, Limon was 16 years old, putting the case in juvenile court initially. A judge later ordered the defendant to be tried as an adult.

On Tuesday morning, the parents, siblings and cousins of Ramirez shared about “Eddie,” describing him as considerate, kind, shy and humble. 

“The loss did not end that night,” a cousin, Evelyn Ramirez, said. 

Whatever the topic, Eddie Ramirez’s enthusiasm proved contagious, relatives added.

“I know Eddie is in heaven, standing tall, smiling and watching over all of us, especially his family,” his cousin added.

A brother, Alfredo Ramirez Jr., read the victim impact statement from their father. 

“The pain of losing my son is indescribable. … Every time I drive by the cemetery, my heart breaks all over again,” he read.

Their mother, Victoria Ramirez, also wrote a victim impact statement read aloud in court as she shared about her youngest son.

“He had a big heart with love and compassion for humanity,” she wrote, adding that “our lives were shattered.”

“We are not here seeking revenge. We are seeking justice,” a sister, Brenda Torres, added. 

Limon offered an apology for the pain he caused, adding that he was misled and misguided.

“Who I was as a youth is not who I am as an adult,” he said.

Limon’s attorney, Robert Sanger, said the defendant has spent the past nine years in person trying to better himself. 

After listening to victim impact statements and watching a video showing the victims, Judge Kristy Imel handed down a sentence of 25 years to life. She also ordered Limon to pay about $4,000 in restitution.

The judge noted the profound statements made by relatives of Eddie Ramirez, saying that violent acts such as shootings affect people far beyond the initial target.

Before returning to Santa Barbara County to face charges for the Lazo Way killing, Limon had been in state prison since a 2019 trial for other violent crimes. In that trial, he was found guilty of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon and other charges.

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

At the end of hearing, Limon was remanded to the custody of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.