San Diego Murder Case: Man Charged After Couple Found Shot, Three Toddlers Found in Nearby Van

San Diego authorities say Ramses "Rex" Morales, 21, has been charged with murder after an early-morning shooting on Jan. 19 left a man and a woman dead while three very young children were found unharmed in a nearby parked vehicle.

What Happened

Officers responded to an anonymous report of two bloodied bodies shortly after 12:26 a.m. on the 100 block of 27th Street, the San Diego Police Department said in a Jan. 20 press release. First responders found a man and a woman who had been shot; officers attempted CPR but were unable to revive either victim.

The victims were identified as 31-year-old Ruben Chavez and 28-year-old Evelyn Virgen. Investigators observed three children under the age of two inside a vehicle registered to Virgen; the minors appeared unharmed at the scene and local reporting later confirmed they are Virgen's children.

Suspects, Arrests and Charges

Homicide detectives say Chavez and Virgen had been in a relationship and that they were involved in a dispute with Chavez's former girlfriend, 25-year-old Princess Perez, and her then-current boyfriend, Ramses "Rex" Morales. Police allege Perez and Morales were in the area when the shooting occurred but had fled before officers arrived.

Google Maps100 block of 27th St, San Diego, California

Authorities say Perez and Morales were detained by U.S. Border Patrol at the San Ysidro Port of Entry as they attempted to re-enter the United States at about 10 a.m. the same day. On Jan. 22 Morales pleaded not guilty to murder charges and Perez pleaded not guilty to an accessory charge; both were held without bail following arraignment.

In addition to murder charges, prosecutors have filed three counts of child endangerment against Morales in connection with the children who were in the parked vehicle. Deputy District Attorney Martin Doyle said the complaint includes two special circumstance allegations—one alleging multiple murders and another alleging the killing of a witness in connection with the death of the female victim—which could make Morales eligible for the death penalty if prosecutors pursue capital punishment.

Background And Ongoing Investigation

Court records cited by CBS 8 indicate Chavez had been involved in a custody dispute with Perez over their two children; he had sought joint custody but retained only supervised visitation rights at the time of his death. Investigators described the situation as a complicated set of family relationships as they continue to untangle the parties' respective connections and motives.

The homicide investigation remains active. Chavez and Virgen are reported to leave behind nine children between them. A cousin of Chavez has launched a GoFundMe to support the children, noting that three of the youngest were present at the scene and may suffer lasting trauma from the incident.

Note: Charges and allegations are the claims of prosecutors. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.