Samuel Ramirez Jr was added to the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list on March 10, 2026, and arrested just one hour and 13 minutes later in Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico — the fastest capture in the list's history. The 538th addition to the Ten Most Wanted list was taken into custody without incident and deported from Mexico to Washington state, where he now faces multiple murder charges.
The warrant for Ramirez's arrest was issued in connection with a shooting at the Stars Bar and Grill in Federal Way, Washington on May 21, 2023. Two female victims were killed in the incident, and a third person was injured, according to the Justice Department. Ramirez is set to face first degree murder and second degree murder charges in King County Superior Court.
The FBI raised the reward for information leading to Ramirez's arrest from $25,000 (£18,888) to $1,000,000 prior to his capture. The previous record for fastest Ten Most Wanted arrest was set in 1969 at two hours.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a press release that the Department of Justice is committed to apprehending Top Ten Most Wanted fugitives as quickly as they are added to the list.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive criminal justice advocates have noted the efficiency of the capture while emphasizing the ongoing need for community safety measures. Law enforcement officials in the Western District of Washington praised the collaboration between federal and local authorities.
Neil Floyd, an attorney for the Western District of Washington, said in the press release that Ramirez's addition to the Ten Most Wanted list brought attention to a case that deeply affected the community and resulted in the swift apprehension of a dangerous fugitive.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative commentators have pointed to the record-speed arrest as evidence of the effectiveness of increased rewards and federal prioritization. The reward increase from $25,000 to $1 million was cited as a key factor in generating the tips that led to Ramirez's capture.
Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized the Justice Department's commitment to tracking down dangerous fugitives, stating that the department is arresting Top Ten Most Wanted criminals as quickly as they are added to the list.
What the Numbers Show
Ramirez was arrested one hour and 13 minutes after being added to the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list on March 10, 2026. The previous record of two hours was set in 1969. The reward for information leading to his capture was increased from $25,000 to $1,000,000. Ramirez faces two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder for the May 21, 2023 shooting at Stars Bar and Grill in Federal Way, Washington. He is scheduled to appear for arraignment in King County Superior Court in approximately two weeks.
The Bottom Line
Samuel Ramirez Jr's capture represents the fastest arrest in the 65-year history of the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list. The combination of a $1 million reward and international cooperation with Mexican authorities led to his swift apprehension in Culiacán. Ramirez will now face murder charges in Washington state, bringing a measure of closure to a case that resulted in two deaths and one injury. The FBI's Ten Most Wanted list currently includes 10 fugitives, half of whom are accused of helping international drug trafficking operations, and one woman accused of a cryptocurrency fraud scheme.