Teen’s Death Sparks Questions About Poverty, Desperation

Rita Defour has shared a heartfelt message mourning the tragic passing of Howard Ramirez, a 17-year-old she knew well through Cornerstone’s feeding program. Her reflections come after he was fatally shot on Wednesday in the Boiton neighbourhood of San Ignacio Town.

The property owner told police that he encountered Ramirez attempting to burgle his storeroom and claimed self-defence after the teenager allegedly confronted him with a piece of wood. The teen reportedly fled but collapsed and died a short distance away. The Director of Public Prosecutions is expected to review the incident to determine if the use of deadly force meets the criteria for self-defence.

In her message, Defour urged people not to judge the young man and described him as more than the labels others might assign. “He was one of the kindest persons, always offering a helping hand, even when he was going through his own storms,” she wrote. Ramirez, who joined Cornerstone at the age of five, was a regular visitor to Defour’s home, often collecting groceries for his younger sisters.

Defour also shared that Ramirez was actively looking for a job. “These kids are tired of being providers when they are just children,” she said. “Whatever he did I know it was wrong but it was out of desperation. Don’t judge him because many of us would not be able to walk in his shoes.”

Defour said it is important to create safe spaces for children like Ramirez. She said that her annual Christmas dinners for Cornerstone’s kids are an effort to provide moments of joy to those who rarely get to celebrate. “These kids are broken, they don’t have anyone to turn to, they are tired of being providers when they are just a child.”

“The reason I always have a Christmas dinner for these kids is because they don’t celebrate anything, they are trying to survive. They never have a party for their birthdays. They don’t know what it is to experience these things.”

She ended by saying, “Pls don’t judge. You all don’t know these kids story.”