Gwinnett County

Teen killed during meetup to sell guns, police say

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — The case against two teenagers accused of murder is heading to Superior Court after a probable cause hearing Friday.

Gwinnett Police Department Homicide Detective John Cleland was the only person to take the stand Friday during the hearing against 16-year-old Omar Ramos and 14-year-old Ronaldo Cruz.

Omar Ramos,16, and Ronaldo Cruz, 14, are accused of killing Zachary Inyamah,16, at the Rockbridge apartment complex on Nov. 18.

The juveniles are being held on charges of felony murder, armed robbery and aggravated assault in connection with the Nov. 18 slaying of 16-year-old Zachary Inyamah at the Rockbridge apartment complex near Jimmy Carter Boulevard. Another victim, 17-year-old Noah Fullilove, was shot in the arm but survived.

Cleland’s testimony revealed this was not a random crime. Police interviews with the victims and suspects indicate Inyamah, Fullilove and a third victim, referred to in court as Angel, were trying to buy guns from Ramos and Cruz.

“An agreement was set up over Snapchat to buy a gun, a Glock and possibly a revolver,” Cleland testified.

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Fullilove’s mother, Crystal Patterson, was visibly shaken when she learned for the first time that the death of her godson, Inyamah, and her son’s injury involved an agreement to buy weapons.

Cleland further testified that Angel had $540 to complete the transaction. But he said Ramos and Cruz had planned to rob the other teenagers before they even met.

Cleland said Ramos was armed and Cruz had a knife in his hand, but Cruz claimed he was “just using it as a scare tactic and never intended for anyone to get hurt.”

Cleland said the victims told him Ramos fired one shot in the air and said something to the effect of, “That was loud.”

The victims said Ramos then demanded the money. Angel threw the money on the ground and ran away, the detective said.

Cleland said Ramos then shot Inyamah in the back as he ran away and fired a third shot, striking Fullilove in the arm.

Zachary Inyamah was murdered during a robbery

The detective was then questioned by attorneys for both Ramos and Cruz.

He told them the suspects were interviewed and it was videotaped. He says Cruz confessed.

“I interviewed Ronaldo first. He immediately admitted he and Omar were responsible,” Cleland said.

But Cleland said Ramos’ story constantly changed.

Cleland said he asked Ramos why he started shooting but Ramos wasn’t able to give him a good reason, saying, “He really didn’t know.”

Matt Crosby, Ramos’ attorney, declined to comment on any specifics about the case only saying, “It’s very sad.”

We were unable to speak with Cruz’s attorney. A family member in court for Omar Ramos declined to comment.