San Diego County Sheriff's Department: Homicide Investigation

Press release from San Diego County Sheriff's Department:

06/19/2021 12:23 PM

Unfortunately, Raymond Bermudez Jr. was pronounced deceased last night. Bermudez's next of kin has been notified of his death. The Medical Examiner's Office has scheduled an autopsy has been scheduled for June 20, 2021.

The suspect, Ronald Francis Valdez, has since posted bail on the lesser charge and has been released. Homicide detectives will amend the criminal charges as they continue their investigation.

Detectives determined Bermudez was not in Shooter's Cocktails before the incident. Valdez did enter Shooter's Cocktails. However, he was denied service and left. The assault occurred in the parking lot and not in the business.    

 Information from prior release:

On June 15, 2021, at about 9:30 p.m., Sheriff's deputies responded to a radio call of a fight at Shooter's Cocktails at 10761 Jamacha Boulevard in Spring Valley. When they arrived, they found sixty-one-year-old Raymond Bermudez Jr. in front of the bar suffering from a head wound. Fire personnel responded and transported Bermudez to a local area hospital. Bermudez is currently alive. Unfortunately, he is not expected to live. 

Due to the likelihood Bermudez may die, the Sheriff's Homicide Unit responded and assumed responsibility of the investigation. Detectives learned the suspect, thirty-year-old Ronald Francis Valdez, exited the bar with Bermudez. Bermudez is Valdez's uncle. An argument ensued and Valdez assaulted Bermudez causing his life-threatening condition. Valdez fled the scene prior to deputies arriving.

Earlier this morning, the San Diego Regional Fugitive Task Force located Valdez and arrested him near his residence. Valdez was arrested for one count of 243(d) PC – Battery with Serious Bodily Injury.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Homicide Unit at (858) 285-6330/after hours at (858) 565-5200. You can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.

This press release was produced by San Diego County Sheriff's Department. The views expressed here are the author’s own.