Police: Two shootings in Midtown connected

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Police say two overnight shootings in Midtown were the work of the same two gunmen.

The first happened near the intersection of Milam and Dennis. There, the thieves fired shots as the driver tried to drive off. He was hit in the stomach but survived.

A short time later and just blocks away, an eyewitness says another man was carjacked and shot outside 'F Bar' in the 200 block of Tuam. That victim died.

A place known for lively entertainment is the scene of a terrible overnight crime.

"One of my security men at the front door came in and said somebody's been shot in the parking lot," said F Bar owner Irwin Palchick.

Family members identify the victim as 22-year-old Juan Carlos Ramirez, a spirited friend and brother who was never anything but kind and giving.

"My brother's the only person I had in my life," said Sergio Ramirez. "Now that he's not here, it brought me down. I just want to know who did this to my brother. I want them to pay for what they did."

Detectives say two men shot the victim in the face before stealing his car. Thirty minutes earlier, it was a similar story, not far away at Dennis and Milam. Police are now connecting the two shooting scenes.

"Gunshots went off, One went through the door and struck the driver," said HPD Officer Shaun Sylvester.

Wednesday night, F Bar hosts a regular talent show and Ramirez was there to cheer on a friend. The night ended instead in tears, as well as the fear that the men responsible are still at large.

"I actually talked to him," said host Charles Williams. "I talked to him and his friend and they both left and that happened."

The stolen car is a black Ford 500 sedan with Texas license plate CWR1480.