George man sentenced to 18 years in prison for 2011 Quincy murder

EPHRATA - A George man was sentenced to 18 years and 4 months in prison Friday for the murder of Ramiro Munoz, Jr.

According to court documents, Gerardo M. Valenzuela Navarro, 21, entered an Alford plea to second-degree murder in March. An Alford plea means the defendant doesn't admit to the crime, but believes there is enough evidence for a jury to convict.

Valenzuela Navarro's plea agreement did not affect the charges against him.

The other two men accused of participating in the shooting, Erwin Vazquez, 21, and Eddie Alvarez Hernandez, 22, both of Quincy, are still charged with second-degree murder.

According to a previous Columbia Basin Herald article, the September 2011 murder was a result of an argument that took place at a family reunion in Quincy.

Vazquez reportedly approached Munoz and asked why he had stopped hanging out with the gang. Munoz was a former gang member who had spent the last couple of years trying to prevent gang violence in the Quincy area while also trying to cut ties with a gang.

According to witnesses, Vazquez was told to leave the reunion and he ran away. Reportedly, Munoz and two other men followed Vazquez to make sure he left.

While the men were following Vazquez, Valenzuela Navarro and Alvarez Hernandez allegedly came out of a nearby house.

According to court documents, Valenzuela Navarro fired two or three shots at the men following Vazquez.

Munoz reportedly asked Valenzuela Navarro to not shoot because of the nearby children at the reunion, challenging him to a fist fight instead.

Valenzuela Navarro allegedly fired another shot at Munoz, killing him.