Suspect identified in cab driver killing near Mesa light rail

PHOENIX — From all appearances, 57-year-old William Bishop of Tempe was having a usual day on the job when he was attacked at a park-and-ride station in Mesa just before 1 a.m. Saturday.

“It seems he was doing the normal thing they do: Wait for fares. And it appears he went to use the restroom when this assault occurred,” said Mesa detective Steve Berry.

Witnesses called 911 and reported screams coming from the public restroom at Sycamore Drive and Main Street. That’s where officers found Bishop suffering from multiple stab wounds. He later died at the hospital.

Witnesses also described the suspect, and officers found 20-year-old Ricardo A. Ramirez within moments.

“According to the witnesses, the suspect was making comments about working for Satan and being there to collect souls,” Berry said.

While being interviewed, police said Ramirez mentioned that he had been drinking earlier that evening and had blacked out prior to the assault.

“From all that we can tell at this point, this was just a random meeting of these two individuals and unfortunately our victim here ends up dead,” Berry said.