Three Santa Maria Gang Members Held to Answer on All Charges in Violent Downtown San Luis Obispo Group Assault

Author: District Attorney
Date: 8/11/2026 5:08 PM

District Attorney Dan Dow announced today that three co-defendants will be held for trial on assault charges after their preliminary hearing.

District Attorney Dan Dow announced today that following a preliminary hearing in San Luis Obispo County Superior Court, Judge Michael Duffy held all three defendants - Alex LopezRamirez, Miguel Mendez, and Brian RamirezLopez - to answer on all charges and allegations alleged in the complaint.

On October 6, 2024, the three defendants were involved in a group assault in downtown San Luis Obispo near Hotel Cerro. According to the evidence presented at the preliminary hearing, the defendants acting as a group repeatedly stomped, kicked, and punched the victim in the middle of the road. As the victim lay motionless and unconscious in the street, the group continued to stomp and kick him in the face. The victim was later transported to a hospital, where he was treated for the severe injuries he suffered. The assault was captured on video, and additional recordings of the defendants made after the assault were also part of the evidence.

The three defendants were identified as members of a criminal street gang from Santa Maria. The victim was identified as a member of a rival Santa Maria criminal street gang.

Each defendant was held to answer for Assault by Means Likely to Produce Great Bodily Injury, along with the additional allegations that each personally inflicted great bodily injury and that the crime was committed for the benefit of a criminal street gang. The court found sufficient evidence at this stage of the proceedings to support all charges and allegations.

"Gang violence has no place in San Luis Obispo County," District Attorney Dan Dow said. "This was a brutal group attack that continued even after the victim was unconscious and defenseless in the middle of a public street. Our community is safer when those who bring this kind of violence here are held fully accountable, and this office will continue to pursue that accountability alongside our law enforcement partners."

The case was investigated by the San Luis Obispo Police Department, the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney's Office Bureau of Investigators, and the Santa Maria Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Cameron Simoes. Victim Witness services have been provided by Victim Advocate Dona Reed and Witness Coordinator Kellie Navarro.

All three defendants are currently out of custody. The case is next set for a Superior Court Arraignment in Department 6 on September 17, 2026, at 8:30 a.m.

It is important to note the charges described in this press release are allegations only. All defendants are legally presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Here is a copy of the charging document. Here are booking photos for Alex LopezRamirez, Miguel Mendez, and Brian RamirezLopez.

Members of the media may contact Assistant District Attorney Eric J. Dobroth at 805.781.5819 for additional information.
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