Lavale Vean Sentenced to 34 Years to Life for Murder of Roberto Ramos

Published on July 30, 2025

More than seven years after the murder of Roberto Ramos, justice was delivered today in a Fresno courtroom.

On July 30, 2025, in Department 53 of the Fresno County Superior Court, Lavale Shawn Vean Jr., (28, of Madera) was sentenced to 34 years to life in state prison for the October 2, 2017, murder of Roberto Ramos.

Vean, along with a co-participant, arrived at the victims’ residence in Fresno at approximately 1:00 p.m., both armed with firearms. Upon seeing three victims in the garage and front yard, the two men opened fire, discharging approximately 16 rounds from .40 caliber and 9mm handguns. All three victims were struck by gunfire. Roberto Ramos succumbed to his injuries, while Irma Ramos and Jacobo Ramos survived with non-life-threatening wounds.

Vean and the co-participant fled the scene. Investigators learned there had been a prior altercation between Vean and Jacobo Ramos in 2015. Cell phone records later tracked Vean’s movements to Madera County.

On October 22, 2017, a Madera Police Department officer attempted a traffic stop on Vean. He evaded law enforcement, abandoned his vehicle, and fled on foot. A 9mm firearm recovered from his vehicle was later matched to casings found at the scene of the murder. Vean was not located at that time.

On February 10, 2018, detectives with the Fresno Police Department were notified that Vean had been apprehended in Texas. He was extradited back to Fresno County to face charges.

Following several procedural delays, Vean entered a guilty plea on April 29, 2025, to second-degree murder in the death of Roberto Ramos. He also admitted to personally using a firearm and to having a prior strike conviction stemming from 2015 robbery.

At the time of the murder, Vean was 20 years old, qualifying him as a youthful offender under California law. As a result, he may be eligible for a Youthful Offender Parole Hearing after serving 25 years. Eligibility does not guarantee parole, and any release decision will be made by the Board of Parole Hearings following a comprehensive review.

At today’s sentencing hearing, 21 victim impact statements were read into the record.

The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office extends its gratitude to the Fresno Police Department and the Madera Police Department for their dedicated investigative efforts in this case.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Deputy District Attorney Samantha Dukes of the Homicide Unit. SDDA Dukes was assisted by Senior District Attorney Investigator Eric Cervantes of the Bureau of Investigations.

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