MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – Several friends and family members of 26-year-old Roger Ramos went to the initial court appearance of the man accused of killing Ramos at an oceanfront bar early Sunday morning.
Bond was not set in city court Monday for 24-year-old Jakkari Brown of Tocca, Georgia. Investigators say Brown killed Ramos on the third floor of RipTydz Oceanfront Grille and Rooftop Bar shortly after 1 Sunday morning.
One of Ramos’s friends says his death was tragic and senseless.
“He was just at the wrong place at the wrong time,” said Breno Alves. “He was trying to help somebody out and look what happened.”
Alves says Ramos was his first friend in the United States when Alves was four years old.
“I’m originally from Brazil,” Alves said. “My parents brought me here in search for a better life. We ended up on 29th Avenue (North) and there was Roger too.”
Alves and Ramos were friends ever since, including at Myrtle Beach High School.
“We were on the wrestling team together,” Alves said. “We did cross country together. We did track together. We did everything together. I spent years with this guy.”
Ramos was at RipTydz early Sunday morning. Authorities say Brown fired the shot that hit Ramos after a fight broke out.
Alves says his friend, who works at RipTydz, was trying to stop the fight.
“He was pulling somebody off somebody and the guy let a shot off into the crowd and it happened,” said Alves. “It hit him. I don’t even think it was aimed for him.”
Ramos was shot in the head and died. Brown was arrested and faces four charges including murder.
Alves says Ramos was a friendly, caring person who won’t be forgotten.
“He wants to live on in this town forever and I feel like we can make that happen,” Alves said. “He knows everybody here and he was just the best person.”
RipTydz held a private memorial service for Ramos on Monday.
The restaurant also says it’ll stay closed until Wednesday.
