Defendant Sentenced for Shooting Murder at Auto Shop

CASE: Cansio Santiago Ramirez (Case #17FE015184)

PROSECUTOR: Principal Criminal Attorney Scott Schweibish, Homicide Unit

On April 22, 2026, the Honorable Steve White sentenced Cansio Santiago Ramirez to 25 years to life in prison.  On March 27, 2026, Ramirez was convicted by a jury of second-degree murder. The jury also found true a personal use of a firearm causing death allegation.

The victim, Arnulfo Soto, was in an argument with a mechanic over a vehicle. On August 15, 2017, Cansio Santiago Ramirez was at that mechanic’s shop trying to sell him some jewelry and a gun.  Ramirez left the jewelry and gun at the shop when he left to get something to eat.  Later that day, the victim went to the shop to discuss the vehicle.  A verbal argument ensued, which turned into a fist fight.  When Ramirez returned to the shop, the mechanic directed him to get the gun.  During the fight, Ramirez shot the victim, killing him almost immediately.  Ramirez fled the scene, but the mechanic identified Ramirez as the shooter.