68-Year-Old Man Severely Injured After Violent Sucker Punch in Winchester

Incident Highlights Alarming Rise in Random Acts of Violence

WINCHESTER, Calif. (KTLA) — A shocking incident unfolded last month in Winchester, California, when a 68-year-old liquor store employee was subjected to a vicious sucker punch in broad daylight, leaving him with severe injuries. The victim’s family has expressed their outrage over the attack, which occurred outside Sun Valley Market and Liquor on October 27.

Carlos Munguia, a dedicated employee at the store for four years, was carrying out his duties, taking out the trash with a dolly in the store’s parking lot when an unidentified man approached him. The surveillance video captured the chilling moment when the stranger began engaging Munguia in conversation before launching a sudden and unprovoked sucker punch, fleeing the scene immediately after.

The consequences of this brutal assault have been devastating for Munguia and his family. “Right now, he barely opens his eyes. There are times when he knows who we are, and there are days when he doesn’t know who we are,” expressed Alma Romero, Munguia’s daughter-in-law, in an emotional interview with KTLA’s Shelby Nelson. “It’s a heart-wrenching situation. We cannot communicate with him or bring him home.”

The surveillance footage reveals the horrifying aftermath of the sucker punch, as Munguia falls to the ground, his head slamming against the pavement. The impact of the attack has left him with severe injuries that have had a profound impact on his daily life.

The distressing situation unfolded when Munguia’s wife, who also works at the liquor store, noticed his prolonged absence. Concerned, she sought assistance from a customer who found Munguia lying injured on the ground and helped bring him into the store. It was at this point that the true extent of the attack became apparent.

Initially confused and disoriented, Munguia claimed that he had simply fallen when questioned about his injuries. It was only upon reviewing the surveillance footage that his family realized the true nature of the incident. “We don’t know what the conversation was about,” Romero said, referring to the video. “Perhaps the attacker was seeking money, but Carlos is the kind of person who would generously assist those in need. If someone required food, he would provide it.”

Romero revealed that her father-in-law suffered a fractured skull and brain bleeding as a result of the assault, leaving him with a long and uncertain road to recovery. The impact of this incident has sent shockwaves through the community, prompting concerns about the alarming rise in random acts of violence.

Authorities swiftly took action, identifying the suspect as 25-year-old Izack Ramirez from Winchester. A day after the assault, deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department apprehended Ramirez after uncovering evidence at his residence during a search warrant operation. Ramirez now faces felony charges, including battery and inflicting great bodily injury to an elder, in relation to the attack.

In a subsequent court appearance, Ramirez pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to return to court on Friday, November 17. The outcome of this case will be closely monitored by the community, who seek justice for Carlos Munguia and hope for a swift recovery for the dedicated liquor store employee.