SAN DIEGO, CA – Amid the silence of a predawn San Diego street, 31-year-old Ruben Chavez and his girlfriend, Evelyn Virgen, 28, lost their lives in a violent attack that left a community in mourning and a family shattered. The couple was shot and killed as three children, all under two years old, sat just steps away in a nearby minivan—one of them Chavez’s infant son.
Authorities say the deadly encounter unfolded in the Grant Hill neighborhood around 12:30 a.m. Monday, when officers responded to a report of two motionless people on 27th Street. When first responders arrived, they discovered Chavez and Virgen lying on the pavement, both dead from gunshot wounds.
Inside a parked minivan at the scene, officers found three very young children, including a three-month-old boy. The children, reportedly uninjured, were taken into protective custody while police began piecing together what happened in those early morning hours.
Chavez, who had been embroiled in a custody dispute with his former partner, Princess Perez, 25, had only been allowed supervised visits with his children. He was seeking joint custody at the time of his death, according to court documents. The night he was killed, he had his young son with him—as well as Virgen and two other children, who also witnessed the aftermath of the violence.
Investigators quickly identified Perez and her boyfriend, Ramses Morales, 21, as suspects in the case. Officials allege that Perez drove Morales to the scene, where Morales fatally shot Chavez and Virgen. Authorities contend that the violence stemmed from the ongoing custody battle and complicated family relationships.
Following the killings, Perez allegedly helped Morales flee to Mexico. Both were detained days later while attempting to re-enter the United States at the San Ysidro border crossing.
Morales, now facing two counts of murder with special circumstances, as well as three charges of child endangerment, pleaded not guilty during his court appearance. If convicted, he could face the death penalty. Perez faces charges of accessory to murder, and investigators say additional charges could be forthcoming as evidence is reviewed.
District attorneys called the killings and their impact on the children “truly terrible.” Chavez and Virgen leave behind a total of nine children, relatives said, including those who were in the minivan and witnessed the tragedy. Family members emphasized the trauma inflicted on the youngest victims, who must now grapple with unimaginable loss.
In the wake of the tragedy, relatives set up a fundraising effort to help cover the cost of funerals and to support the needs of the children, especially the youngest. The fund has drawn an outpouring of support from the community, demonstrating solidarity in the aftermath of a brutal crime.
Authorities continue to investigate the backgrounds of those involved, as well as the circumstances leading up to the shooting. The custody battle, according to officials, was one piece of a complex puzzle that remains under scrutiny. The investigation remains ongoing.