Woman jailed in homicide

A Spokane woman was arrested Friday, accused of murdering a 48-year-old man in the West Central neighborhood earlier in the day.

Investigators believe Sheri M. Ramsey, 33, shot the man in a dispute about rent and his accommodations.

The man, who recently was released from prison, had being staying “on and off” with Ramsey and her partner, Andre Ramsey, at 2307 W. Mallon Ave., said Lt. Scott Stephens. He had paid rent to the women, but they told him they wanted him out.

“They no longer wanted him to live there, but he felt he had a right to live there,” Stephens said.

Kimberly Blackman, who lives next door, said Sheri and Andre Ramsey had become concerned about the man after they learned his criminal background. Blackman said Andre Ramsey came to her home about 8 p.m. Thursday and stayed for about 15 minutes.

“They were uncomfortable with him there last night,” Blackman said. “She (Andre Ramsey) appeared afraid.”

The shooting victim was found about 6:45 a.m. in an alley near the house by Cpl. Jim Muzatko, who was patrolling the neighborhood, said police spokesman Dick Cottam. He had seen a suspicious car in the alley and turned to check it.

When he returned, the car was gone, but the victim was in plain sight, Stephens said. The man was alive and taken to Deaconess Medical Center, where he soon died.

The victim’s name was not released Friday because his family had not yet been located, Stephens said.

An autopsy revealed that the victim had been shot twice in the head. Police believe that he had been with Sheri Ramsey for several hours before the shooting and that they had been drinking or using drugs, Stephens said.

Many details in the case remained unclear Friday night, including the role played by the car seen by Muzatko. The gun used in the shooting had not been found.

Stephens said detectives determined that Sheri Ramsey was the chief suspect after interviews with her and several neighbors. He would not say if she confessed to the shooting.

Ramsey was booked into the Spokane County Jail on a count of first-degree murder. She declined a jailhouse interview Friday night.

Her neighbors expressed shock at her arrest. Sheri and Andre Ramsey live at the home with their four children, neighbors said.

Corey Pucket, who lives nearby, said he would not believe Sheri Ramsey was the shooter unless “she was protecting her children or her wife, but I can’t see her going out and shooting someone.”

Brandy Schueller, who lives across the street, said Ramsey and her partner are good parents and neighbors.

“I’m very fond of them and their children,” Schueller said.

Schueller also defended the neighborhood, which has a reputation for crime. Her block is a good place to raise a family, she said.

“I know all my neighbors,” Schueller said. “I enjoy living down here.”