Tyler, TX – A Texas man was sentenced to 18 years in prison after fatally shooting a co-owner of a taqueria during an argument in a restaurant parking lot last year, prosecutors announced.
The victim, Heriberto “Eddie” Ramirez Jr., 38, was confronted by Scotty Goble, 54, in October 2024 at Junior’s Taqueria in Tyler. Goble reportedly acted after a dispute escalated over a slammed door, which occurred while Goble was with his 9-month-old daughter and two sons. The confrontation ended with Ramirez’s death.
Dispute Over a Door Escalates
Police reports indicate that the incident began when Goble allegedly initiated an argument over a drink order inside the restaurant. The confrontation continued outside after one of Goble’s sons slammed a door while leaving with food. Ramirez and his brother, Edgar Ramirez, followed the family into the parking lot, where tensions erupted into a physical altercation.
Goble claimed he felt threatened by Ramirez during the fight, prompting him to grab a firearm and open fire. He had placed his infant daughter in a carrier near the restaurant entrance before the shooting, according to prosecutors.
Son’s Testimony Supports Self-Defense Claim
During the trial, Goble’s son, Justin Goble, testified about the sequence of events. He stated that his father was being attacked on the ground when he fired.
“I was terrified,” Justin Goble told the court. “This guy Ramirez is like twice my size … to be completely honest, I was looking for a gun. Just in case they were just beating him to a pulp.”
The defense argued that Goble acted in self-defense, citing the physical size difference and perceived threat to his children. Despite this claim, jurors determined that the shooting constituted second-degree murder, finding that Goble acted in “sudden passion”.
Conviction and Sentencing
Goble was convicted after three hours of jury deliberation on Monday, September 9. Initially charged with first-degree murder, his conviction on second-degree murder reduced his sentencing range to 2–20 years in prison. The court ultimately imposed an 18-year prison term, reflecting the jury’s assessment of the circumstances.
Family Reacts to Tragic Loss
Ramirez’s family described the emotional toll following the incident. Amanda Ramirez, the victim’s wife, recounted the reaction of their surviving children, including daughters aged 6 and 9, when they learned of their father’s death.
“Not daddy! What do you mean?!” Amanda Ramirez said the girls screamed. “It was the worst thing I’ve had to do in my entire life — to tell my babies their daddy died. He didn’t deserve that. We didn’t deserve that.”
When asked about Goble’s sentence, Amanda Ramirez expressed frustration:
“I don’t feel like justice was served. That’s not enough. Even if he would’ve gotten life, that still would’ve never been enough for me. Nothing is going to bring my husband back. We have to live the rest of our lives with pain and misery without Eddie.”
Community Impact and Reflection
The shooting highlights the dangers of seemingly minor disputes escalating into lethal violence. Local authorities emphasized the importance of de-escalation in public conflicts and the tragic consequences that can arise when tempers flare.
Residents of Tyler continue to mourn Ramirez while grappling with the reality that a family dispute in a restaurant parking lot resulted in a preventable death.
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