ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) — The victim and suspect in a fatal stabbing at a Newport business Thursday have been identified.
According to the Washington County Sheriff’s office, 58-year-old Gregorio Maso Ramirez allegedly stabbed 44-year-old Uriel Navarro Ortiz at their workplace.
Police were called to Bailey Nurseries at 1325 Bailey Road at 3:40 p.m. Thursday on a report of a medical emergency. Upon arrival, officers found Ortiz on the lunchroom floor in a pool of blood.
A witness was in the lunchroom beforehand and saw Ramirez asking Ortiz for a ride home, which Ortiz refused. The witness left the room, and returned a few minutes later to find Ortiz on the floor.
Ramirez was spotted soon after by his supervisor, who says he appeared “angry,” and was wrapping one of his arms with a jacket.
The suspect was given a ride home to his St. Paul apartment by an unknown person. Investigators discovered Ramirez’s address and alerted St. Paul Police, who arrived and found a trail of blood that led to his apartment.
Ramirez turned himself in to St. Paul Police, who transported him to Regions Hospital for treatment of a large cut on his right hand. He admitted to authorities that he brought a knife to work and planned to “do something” to Ortiz, and then admitted to stabbing him.
Police later found the weapon a few blocks away from Ramirez’s apartment.
Ryan McEnaney from Bailey Nurseries says the company is mourning the loss of Ortiz.
“Uriel was a father, husband, friend and co-worker,” McEnaney said. “He will be remembered by our family of employees at Bailey Nurseries as a hard working and dedicated employee and family man.”
Ramirez is being held at the Washington County Jail. Several agencies are working on the ongoing investigation.
