A tragic double murder in San Diego has left families broken and a community searching for answers. Two young parents were found shot dead on a quiet street, with three toddlers discovered nearby inside a parked car. Now, two more young adults are in custody, and the case has grown into a complex investigation involving relationships, custody disputes, and serious criminal charges.
What happened on 27th Street in San Diego
Just after midnight on Monday, January 19, San Diego police received an anonymous tip about two bloodied bodies on the 100 block of 27th Street. When officers arrived around 12:26 a.m., they found a man and a woman who had both been shot. Despite attempts to save them using CPR, both victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
Police later identified the victims as:
- Ruben Chavez, 31
- Evelyn Virgen, 28
During the same response, officers made another disturbing discovery. Three very young children, all under the age of two, were found inside a nearby parked vehicle. The children appeared physically unharmed. The car was registered to Evelyn Virgen, and later reports confirmed the children were hers.
Relationships and growing tensions
Investigators soon learned that Chavez and Virgen were in a relationship. Police believe the couple had been involved in an ongoing dispute with Chavez’s ex-girlfriend, Princess Perez, 25, and her current boyfriend, Ramses “Rex” Morales, 21.
According to the police press release, both Perez and Morales were in the area when the shooting occurred but left before officers arrived. Their sudden disappearance raised immediate concerns for detectives working the case.
The situation became even more complicated when court records revealed that Chavez and Perez had been involved in a custody battle over their two children. Chavez was seeking joint custody but reportedly only had supervised visitation rights. This background has become a key part of the investigation as authorities try to understand possible motives.
Suspects detained while trying to cross the border
Later that same morning, around 10 a.m., Perez and Morales were detained by Border Patrol at the San Ysidro Port of Entry while allegedly attempting to re-enter the United States. They were taken into custody and later brought before the court.
On Thursday, January 22:
- Morales pleaded not guilty to murder charges.
- Perez pleaded not guilty to an accessory charge, accused of driving Morales to Mexico after the killings.
Morales is also facing three additional charges of child endangerment related to Virgen’s children, who were left in the car near the crime scene.
Both Perez and Morales were ordered to be held without bail following their arraignment. The investigation is still ongoing, and authorities have said they are continuing to examine everyone’s role and the full history of relationships involved.
Severe charges and possible death penalty
Prosecutors have made it clear that this is being treated as an extremely serious case. According to the deputy district attorney, the complaint includes two special circumstances:
- Multiple murders
- Killing of a witness, in relation to the death of Evelyn Virgen
If prosecutors formally pursue these special circumstances and Morales is convicted, he could become eligible for the death penalty under California law. This has added another layer of gravity to an already heartbreaking case.
Children left behind and community support
Beyond the courtroom, the human impact of this tragedy is devastating. Chavez and Virgen together leave behind nine children. Three of the youngest were present at the time of the shooting and are believed to have witnessed the immediate aftermath.
A cousin of Chavez has launched a GoFundMe campaign to support the children. The fundraiser message states that the children’s lives have been forever changed and that the trauma from that night will stay with them for years to come.
This case has touched many people across San Diego, especially parents who cannot imagine the fear and loss these children have experienced.
