Samuel Ramirez Jr. Added to FBI’s Ten Most Wanted List Following 2023 Federal Way Double Murder

The FBI is offering a $1 million reward for Samuel Ramirez Jr., wanted for a double murder in Federal Way, Washington. Read the full fugitive profile.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 12, 2026, 9:01 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from the FBI Seattle Field Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington.

The 2023 Federal Way Shooting

The charges against Samuel Ramirez Jr., 33, stem from a violent incident on May 21, 2023, at the Stars Bar and Grill in Federal Way, Washington. According to investigators, Ramirez was involved in a shooting that resulted in the deaths of two female victims and left a third person wounded. The King County Superior Court issued an initial arrest warrant just three days after the murders, charging Ramirez with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and attempted first-degree murder.

Unlawful Flight and Federal Intervention

Following the homicides, law enforcement officials determined that Ramirez had successfully evaded local capture. On November 14, 2025, a federal arrest warrant was issued in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, charging him with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. Federal authorities noted that while the primary murder case remains a state prosecution, the federal charge is the primary mechanism allowing international and nationwide law enforcement to assist in his apprehension.

A Record-Breaking Reward Increase

In December 2025, the FBI initially offered $25,000 for information on Ramirez's whereabouts. With his elevation to the "Ten Most Wanted Fugitives" list on March 10, 2026, that reward has been increased to $1 million. Ramirez is the first fugitive to receive this new standard reward amount, which was recently increased from the previous $250,000 baseline for the Top Ten list. FBI Seattle Special Agent in Charge W. Mike Herrington stated that the substantial reward is intended to bring international attention to the case and pressure associates to come forward.