By admin 
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – The first suspect identified in the murder of a Tucson Police recruit appeared in court early Tuesday, Aug. 25.
Read more He was waiting for his son to return from the USS Lincoln. Then Border Patrol arrested him.
A judge ordered Alex James Barnett, 33, to be held without bond on charges of first-degree murder, armed robbery, and aggravated assault. A no-bond hearing was set for Aug. 31, while a preliminary hearing was scheduled for Sept. 1.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE
- PCSD: Alex Barnett in custody for Tucson Police recruit’s murder
- Law enforcement community reacts to murder of Tucson Police recruit
- Pima County Sheriff Nanos discusses murder of Tucson Police recruit
- Local foundation rallies support for TPD recruit killed in shooting
- PCSD, SWAT at home in connection to TPD recruit’s murder
Barnett was arrested late Monday, Aug. 24, following a three-hour standoff at Desert Atrium, an apartment complex near Camino Seco and Broadway in Tucson.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department told 13 News’ Mary Coleman that SWAT was there to serve a warrant in connection with the fatal home invasion last week.
Tucson Police recruit Carlos Ramirez was found shot to death in his home in the 7700 block of South Enchanted Spring Drive early on Aug. 19. Ramirez’s pregnant fiancée, a PCSD corrections officer, was shot in the shoulder but is expected to survive.
According to court records, Barnett has a long and violent criminal history in Pima County. He has been in and out of prison over the last decade and was most recently released in late 2025.
- In 2012, he was sentenced for child abuse, theft, and drug possession.
- In 2013, he was convicted of theft and credit card fraud.
- In 2021, he was convicted of vehicle theft, weapons misconduct, burglary, and identity theft.
- In 2024, he was convicted of unlawful imprisonment.
There were two other suspects in Ramirez’s death.
The first, 39-year-old Santiago Jorge Rogers, was arrested at a hotel near the 4800 block of South Palo Verde Road on Aug. 22. He was charged with first-degree murder, aggravated assault, and armed robbery. A judge ordered him to be held without bond.
Rogers also has a criminal history in Arizona, including an active assault case in Pima County. He has several previous convictions — weapons misconduct in Pima County in 2007, shoplifting, drug possession in Yavapai County in 2018, promotion of prison contraband in Gramhan County in 2021, and attempted promotion of prison contraband in Navajo County in 2022.
A third man, who has not been named, was wanted in connection with the shooting.
The PCSD said he was spotted near the suspect’s vehicle hours after the incident. The PCSD said the man has been located and interviewed, but he had not been charged as of Tuesday, Aug. 25.
According to court documents, Ramirez’s fiancée told investigators that she heard banging from outside their bedroom before Ramirez came in and yelled at her to get a gun from their safe.
Ramirez allegedly told her that two masked men were in the home. She said the suspect had dark clothing with “balaclava-style face coverings and tattoos on their arms.”
Ramirez allegedly fought with the masked men before a gun went off and Ramirez was shot.
Surveillance video captured the suspect’s vehicle, a dark 2007-2012 Acura SUV, leaving the scene.
The PCSD released video from a gas station at 5405 West Valencia Road, around three miles from the crime scene, that showed Barnett and Rogers shopping minutes before the fatal shooting. According to court documents, the men bought three hats and dark gloves.
The Acura vehicle was later found dumped in a parking lot near Palo Verde and 33rd Street, about a 30-minute drive from the scene of the shooting.
The PCSD released video that appears to show the third suspect near the suspect when it was dumped in the area.
According to the interim complaint, there was no known connection between Ramirez and his fiancée with either Barnett or Rogers.
Are you streaming 13 News?
Watch a free live stream of Tucson Now and 13 News at TucsonNow.Live.
Be sure to download the free Tucson Now app, which you can find on Apple and Google.
If you are using a desktop computer, you can use your mobile device to scan the QR code below.
Read more Dolly Parton opened up about ‘hard times’ with her health in final interview days before she died
You can submit your breaking news or weather images here.