Questions linger in Las Vegas home invasion

Richard Ramos (Photo: Facebook)

Las Vegas home invasion suspects fatal crime spree

LAS VEGAS — The two suspects in the fatal Las Vegas home invasion appear to have specifically targeted the east Las Vegas neighborhood where they murdered a man and injured two others.

Cody David Winters, 27, and Natasha Galenn Jackson, 35, began their fatal crime spree in the early morning hours of July 29 when a freeway service vehicle stopped to assist them on U.S. 95.

Natasha Jackson and Cody Winters (Photos; LVMPD, Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office Idaho)

The driver who was eventually released unharmed was carjacked, robbed and forced to take the pair to a residential area near east Tropicana Avenue and Sandhill Road. The driver made a wrong turn and the suspects did not get to their original destination. They exited the vehicle nearby at Rollingwood Drive and Autumn Street. The driver then notified authorities.

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Winters and Jackson talked their way into a home and said they needed to use the telephone.  Once inside the pulled a gun. Richard Ramos, one of the occupants in the home, tried to wrestle the gun way from Winters and was shot. Ramos was transported to a local hospital where he later died.

Jackson stabbed Ramos’s wife Julie with a screwdriver. She survived the attack and was able to escape the home with her children.

After fleeing the Ramos home, Winters and Jackson attempted to break into other homes before successfully entering a home where Winters shot an unidentified female. In an attempt to escape Winters emerged from the home with a hostage, however, the hostage turned out to be Jackson who was apprehended by authorities.

Winters retreated to the home and came back outside with the injured woman. After she fell away from Winters and collapsed, he was shot and killed by police.

Both suspects that terrorized the East Las Vegas neighborhood had lengthy criminal records. Winters has been in and out of prison for offenses related to drugs and battery.  Jackson’s 10-year criminal record included numerous offenses of burglary and battery.

She claims that she and Winters wanted to steal a car.  Because the area was specifically targeted by the two suspects there is speculation that one or both suspects have some familiarity with the neighborhood and may have wanted to rob a specific residence. Because of the wrong turn the freeway service driver made, the duo randomly targeted homes in the area after they exited the vehicle.

Julie Ramos said that she did not know the suspects.

Richard Ramos was originally from the Bronx, New York. He is survived by his wife and four children.  An account has been set up for the family to help defray funeral costs and provide assistance to the family. Donations to the Richard Ramos Memorial Donation fund can be made at any Chase Bank.  to Acct#3026062744.

Jackson has been charged with seven charges;

Murder with use of a deadly weapon
Attempted murder with use of a deadly weapon
Burglary with the use of a firearm
Attempted home invasion
First degree kidnapping
Attempted robbery with use of deadly weapon
Robbery with use of a deadly weapon

She is being held without bail. Her next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 13.

The two officers involved in the shooting of Winters have been identified as Officers William Moore and Ryan Rotta. They have been placed on routine paid administrative leave pending a review of the events that lead to Winter’s death.

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