Fullerton man on trial in shooting death of teen changing tire

A Fullerton man accused of fatally shooting a teen who was helping a friend change a tire is set to go on trial Thursday for murder.

Charles Thomas Ramirez Jr., 36, is accused of shooting Larry Ruiz in March 2011.

The 19-year-old was helping a friend change a tire in an alley behind Ramirez’s parent’s home in Fullerton, according to the Orange County district attorney’s office.

The youth was allegedly confronted by Ramirez, who accused him of having been in a fight with his friend earlier that day.

When Ruiz denied being in a fight, Ramirez punched him in the face, pulled out a gun and shot him once in the head, prosecutors allege.

Ruiz died at the scene. The teen’s friend was uninjured. Ramirez was arrested by Fullerton police the next day.

Ramirez is charged with one felony count of murder with sentencing enhancements for the personal discharge of a firearm causing death and a prior theft conviction in 2008.

If convicted, Ramirez faces a maximum sentence of 51 years to life in prison.

Opening statements were expected to begin Thursday.

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