Putnam County Teen Convicted of First-Degree Murder in 2023 Shooting

The 19-year-old was found guilty after a two-day trial, the state attorney's office says.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 2:55am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a shattered car window, the glass reflecting a faint red light, conceptually illustrating the violence and destruction left in the wake of a deadly shooting.A shattered car window reflects the grim aftermath of a deadly shooting, exposing the harsh realities of youth gun violence in Putnam County.Palatka Today

The State Attorney's Office in Putnam County, Florida, has announced that 19-year-old Ramon Gomez-Hernandez Jr. has been convicted of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted second-degree murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm by a juvenile delinquent. The charges stem from a 2023 shooting incident in East Palatka that left one person dead and two others injured.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing issue of gun violence involving young people in the Putnam County area, with the state attorney describing the defendant as part of a 'violent group of young people' responsible for much of the gun crime in the community. The conviction underscores the need for continued efforts to address youth violence and remove dangerous individuals from the streets.

The details

According to the State Attorney's Office, on June 30, 2023, deputies with the Putnam County Sheriff's Office responded to a call about a shooting on Kane Road in East Palatka. One victim, Rubli Perez-Lucas, was pronounced dead at the hospital, while two other victims were also shot and taken to the hospital. Witnesses told detectives that multiple people in a vehicle had pulled onto Kane Road to fight someone, and Perez-Lucas and others intervened. A second car then arrived, and its driver, Gomez-Hernandez, allegedly pulled out a gun and started shooting at the groups. Detectives later located a crashed white Dodge Journey at the scene, which contained a ski mask, a handgun, and a cellphone that DNA testing linked to Gomez-Hernandez. He was arrested in February 2024.

  • On June 30, 2023, deputies responded to the shooting on Kane Road in East Palatka.
  • Gomez-Hernandez was arrested on Saturday, February 24, 2024.

The players

Ramon Gomez-Hernandez Jr.

A 19-year-old Putnam County resident who was found guilty of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted second-degree murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm by a juvenile delinquent.

Rubli Perez-Lucas

The victim who was killed in the June 2023 shooting incident in East Palatka.

R.J. Larizza

The State Attorney for Putnam County, who described Gomez-Hernandez as part of a 'violent group of young people' responsible for much of the gun violence in the community.

Gator DeLoach

The Putnam County Sheriff, who said the investigation was difficult due to a lack of cooperation from those associated with Gomez-Hernandez.

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What they’re saying

“The defendant is part of a violent group of young people who show an absolute disdain for the sanctity of life. This group of 'Young Guns' is responsible for the lion's share of gun violence we see today. They must be removed from our communities for as long as the law allows.”

— R.J. Larizza, State Attorney

“This was a difficult investigation due to the lack of cooperation from those associated with Ramon Gomez-Hernandez. At every step there was intentional efforts to thwart this investigation, but justice prevailed due to the plethora of forensic evidence obtained all linking this wannabe gangster to the murder of Rubli Perez-Lucas and the attempted murder of two others.”

— Gator DeLoach, Sheriff

What’s next

The judge will determine Gomez-Hernandez's sentencing at a future court hearing.

The takeaway

This conviction highlights the ongoing challenge of addressing youth gun violence in Putnam County, where a 'violent group of young people' is responsible for much of the crime. Authorities are vowing to continue their efforts to remove these individuals from the community and hold them accountable for their actions.