Suffolk County prosecutors have charged a Venezuelan national with attempted murder following a violent assault at Gilgo Beach. Ruben Guanipa Ramirez, 26, was arraigned today for allegedly trying to slash the throat of a man he had driven to the remote shoreline.
District Attorney Ray Tierney described the attack as a calculated attempt on the victim’s life. Ramirez reportedly smothered the victim’s mouth with a rag before stabbing him from behind on the left side of his neck.
The unidentified victim managed to wrestle the knife away and seize control of the suspect's 2024 Lexus. He then drove himself to an apartment in Queens, where he received medical treatment and contacted the New York Police Department.
State police apprehended Ramirez hours later while he was walking along the Long Island Expressway. Investigators subsequently searched the vehicle and discovered multiple knives, rope, duct tape, and plastic drop cloths.
The recovery of blankets and a large-wheeled bag has prompted law enforcement to investigate whether the suspect intended to dispose of a body. The attack occurred on Ocean Parkway, the infamous site of the Gilgo Beach serial killer investigation.
Ramirez originally entered the United States in 2014 on a tourist visa but remained in the country after it expired. Officials noted that his previously held Temporary Protected Status has since lapsed.
The incident has drawn attention from the White House as President Donald Trump continues to push for stricter immigration enforcement. President Trump addressed the case today, citing it as evidence for his administration's current border security priorities.
Law enforcement experts have raised concerns about potential copycat behavior due to the proximity to the ongoing Rex Heuermann case. Heuermann, the primary Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect, is being held in the same facility as Ramirez.
Ramirez is being held at the Suffolk County Jail in Riverhead on $200,000 cash bail. He is scheduled to return to court on April 29 and faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted.
The Suffolk County District Attorney’s office is continuing its investigation into the suspect’s background and potential links to other crimes. Public safety patrols have been increased along the coastal highway following the attack.