Parents of former professional baseball player file wrongful death lawsuit against city and Marietta officials

ATLANTA, Georgia (Atlanta News First) – The family of Rafael Ramirez is suing the city of Marietta, two police officers and a hotel chain on suspicion of causing the young man’s death in 2022.

Ramirez was a 26-year-old former baseball player who was drafted by the New York Mets out of high school and was sent to the minor leagues shortly thereafter.

On July 7, 2022, two Marietta police officers approached Ramirez’s parked car in the parking lot of a Motel 6 in Marietta, although the reason is unclear.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) said Ramirez tried to drive away but struck a patrol car, trapping an officer between two vehicles. Then at least one officer fired shots at Ramirez’s car, killing him. Another woman in the passenger seat was unharmed.

A Cobb County grand jury later ruled that the officer’s use of force was justified.

But in the recently filed lawsuit, Ramirez’s family and their attorney said body camera footage of the shooting paints a different picture than the GBI’s account. The lawsuit names Jared Foster and Amelia Holmes as the two police officers involved in the incident.

“(Holmes) shot him twice, at least twice, out the driver’s side window in the head and face, and then after the car started moving slowly because it was in forward gear, he made it about two feet. The officer repositions herself between her illegally parked car and his and pretends to fall to the ground, like she’s injured,” said Rachel Kaufman, the attorney for Ramirez’s family. “She got to the hospital and she didn’t have any broken bones in her foot or anything.”

The lawsuit also alleges that the officer fell to the ground for “dramatic effect.”

The Ramirez family also claims negligence and assault. They are demanding a jury trial on all issues and financial compensation.

“I think it’s important that the truth comes out and justice is done,” Kaufman said.

>> READ THE FULL LAWSUIT:

When asked about the lawsuit, a Marietta police spokesman said they do not comment on pending litigation.

All rights reserved.