FEDERAL WAY, Wash. — The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Seattle office and Federal Way Police announced that a man wanted in connection with two murders in 2023 was named to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list in a press conference on Tuesday.
33-year-old Samuel Ramirez Jr. allegedly shot and killed two women and injured a third person on May 21, 2023 outside the Stars Bar and Grill in Federal Way, according to FBI Seattle.
The victims, Katie Duhnke and Jessyca Hohn, worked at the bar, KIRO 7 previously reported.
Teena Nelson, owner of Stars Bar & Grill, described her employees as being central to the atmosphere of the business.
She recalled the distinct personalities of the two women: “Katie was pretty much the life of the party,” Nelson said. “Jessica was just…very pretty, very stylish.”
Nelson was notified of the shooting shortly after it occurred in the early morning hours.
“It was horrific. I got a call at 3:30 in the morning to come quickly. My bartenders had been shot,” she said.
Nelson noted that the suspect had visited the establishment several times previously without causing issues.
She recalled that interactions on the night of the killings seemed peaceful.
“When he left, he walked here and waved goodbye to the girls. The girls turned around and said good night. It was very cordial,” Nelson said.
Authorities say Ramierz Jr. fled the country to Tijuana, Mexico after the shooting and has not been caught.
The FBI says he should be considered armed and dangerous.
The owner expressed frustration that it took nearly three years for the suspect to be elevated to the FBI’s highest-priority list.
“It’s about time. It’s been almost three years and I wish it would have happened sooner,” Nelson said. “I just never thought that he would flee and be in coming on three years that they still have not found him.”
The decision to place Ramirez on the Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list was based on the severity of the crime and his ability to evade capture.
Mike Herrington, special agent in charge of the Seattle FBI field office, explained the specific requirements for such a designation.
“It is reserved for the most dangerous and elusive subject that we have,” Herrington said.
Federal Way Police Chief Andy Hwang said the involvement of federal authorities is necessary due to the belief that Ramirez left the state and potentially entered Mexico.
“We don’t really have the capacity to go to Mexico and investigate, whereas the FBI has a counterpart they can work with to bring this guy into custody,” Hwang said.
Designating Ramirez Jr. on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list raises the reward leading to his capture to $1 million, up previously from $25,000.
He is described as a White/Hispanic male, 6 feet tall and 200 pounds, with black hair and several tattoos, including a lion’s face on his wrist and forearm.
An FBI flier says he has ties to Lake Havasu City, Arizona; Compton California; Las Vegas, Nevada; as well as Jalisco and Sinaloa, Mexico.
Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI’s Toll-Free tipline at 1-800-225-5324, contact their local FBI field office or submit a tip at tips.fbi.gov.
Today, the #FBI added Samuel Ramirez, Jr. to it's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives List. He is #wanted for his alleged involvement in the murders of two female victims on May 21, 2023, in Federal Way, Washington. A third person was also injured in the shooting. The FBI offers a… pic.twitter.com/CM2awyFaas
— FBI Most Wanted (@FBIMostWanted) March 10, 2026
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