Blue Alert issued for suspect in fatal shooting of Tucson police recruit

Authorities identified a suspect in the fatal shooting of an Arizona police recruit and issued a Blue Alert late Thursday to warn the public about him.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department is also asking the public for help identifying two other possible suspects in the killing of 23-year-old Carlos Ramirez.

The known suspect was identified as 33-year-old Alex James Barnett. A first-degree murder warrant was issued for Barnett, who is considered armed and dangerous.

Barnett is described as 6 feet, 2 inches tall and 315 pounds, with a bald head and brown eyes. He has distinctive arm tattoos and was last seen wearing a red shirt and black biker vest and riding a maroon 2020 Harley-Davidson FLHXS motorcycle with Arizona license plate D4A656.

Members of the public should not approach Barnett. Anyone who sees him should call 911 and secure residence or vehicle doors and windows.

According to Arizona prison records, Barnett has a criminal history that includes convictions for vehicle theft, child/adult abuse, credit card fraud, unlawful imprisonment and other offenses dating back to 2010.

Blue Alert for Alex James Barnett triggers cellphone notifications

A Blue Alert for Barnett triggered emergency notifications on cellphones across Arizona after 11 p.m. Thursday.

The rarely used Blue Alert system is designed to warn the public and help with the search when a suspect in the assault of a law enforcement officer is on the loose.

Ramirez and his 23-year-old fiancee were found with gunshot wounds just before 6 a.m. Wednesday at a home in the Valencia West community west of Tucson. Ramirez was pronounced dead at the scene and his fiancee was hospitalized in stable condition with injuries that are not considered life-threatening.

Ramirez served as a Pima County Sheriff’s Department corrections officer before becoming a Tucson Police Department recruit. His fiancee, whose name was not released, is a current Pima County corrections officer.

Latest on investigation into Tucson police recruit’s death

Before Barnett was named as a suspect, sheriff’s department detectives recovered a gray SUV believed to be connected to the shooting in a parking lot near Palo Verde Road and 33rd Street in Tucson.

Surveillance footage from the Shell gas station at 5405 W. Valencia Road, near Casino del Sol, showing Mr. Barnett and a second unidentified suspect at approximately 5:20 a.m. on August 19, 2026. pic.twitter.com/1hx5zwJanT

— Pima County Sheriff's Department (@PimaSheriff) August 21, 2026

After the vehicle was located, the sheriff’s department released photos and videos of Barnett and two unidentified men who are thought to be involved in the police recruit’s death.

One of them was seen with Barnett at a Shell gas station near Casino Del Sol about 5:20 a.m. Wednesday. The other was seen at about 10:50 a.m. exiting the SUV in the parking lot where it was found later by detectives.

Anyone who knows who they are or where they are is asked to call 911 or 88-CRIME (520-882-7463) to remain anonymous.

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