Full Notification

Riverbank, Ca -

Detectives with the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office and Riverbank Police Services have made an arrest in a homicide, which took place Thursday night in the parking lot of the Applebee’s restaurant.  

On May 26, 2022, at 9:45 pm, patrol deputies responded to the report of a shooting and victim down in the parking lot of the Applebee’s located at 2449 Claribel Road. The restaurant, and Crossroads Shopping Center, were full at the time of the shooting with patrons having recently attended high school graduation ceremonies. 

The suspect has been identified as 28-year-old Modesto resident Jonathan Alexander Ray. He was believed to have fled the area in a vehicle which was soon spotted by the Sheriff’s Office helicopter near Oakdale and Sylvan Roads. A high-risk stop was conducted.  Ray was taken into custody without incident, and a firearm was located in his possession. 

The victim has been identified as 40-year-old Riverbank resident Salvador Ramos.  He was shot multiple times and sustained major, life-threatening injuries.  Ramos was taken by an ambulance to a local area hospital, where he underwent surgery for the grave gunshot wounds. Unfortunately, he later succumbed to those injuries and was pronounced deceased.

Detectives are still investigating the nature of the dispute which originally took place inside the bar area of the restaurant.  The motive is still being determined, as is how the altercation escalated to the point of when a firearm was brought out.  Witness statements and video surveillance are still being reviewed as part of the follow-up investigation as well.  

No other victims were injured as a result of the shooting.  We can also report no other outstanding suspects are being pursued, either.  Detectives with the Sheriff’s Office Crimes Against Persons Unit responded and assumed control over the investigation. It is still very much an active and ongoing investigation.  Ray has still not yet been booked into the Public Safety Center; however, he has been arrested for murder charges.  

Members of the public are urged to contact Detective Martin should they have tips to share.  She can be reached at 209-525-7093. Anonymous tipsters can of course call Stanislaus Area Crime Stoppers as well.  They could be eligible for cash rewards.  All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.