Aurora man charged in May shooting

An Aurora man has been charged with the attempted murder of a man police found shot last week in the middle of Keslinger Road near Elburn.

Manuel Ramirez, 26, was arrested this week after a search of his home on the 1100 block of Sullivan Road turned up a 9 mm handgun and more than 1,800 grams of suspected marijuana, Kane County Sheriff's officials said Friday.

Police said Ramirez shot a 22-year-old California man twice above the waist on May 29 and left him on Keslinger Road, near Pouley Road, east of Elburn. Authorities found the victim about 2:20 a.m., Lt. Pat Gengler said.

"We believe the shooting happened about that time," he said.

Police wouldn't discuss a possible motive, or say how the two men know each other. The victim was treated for injuries that were not life-threatening and was released from the hospital.

Gengler said an investigation quickly led to Ramirez.

"Once we started the investigation, we knew this was something where there wasn't a general threat to public safety," he said. "Our focus was narrowed down pretty quick."

Authorities do not believe the handgun recovered from Ramirez's home was the one used in the shooting, "but we can't rule it out at this point," Gengler said.

Ramirez is charged with attempted murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, armed violence and marijuana possession with intent to deliver. He was being held in the county jail Friday afternoon. Bond information was not immediately available.

Ramirez appears to have no criminal history in Kane County, court records show. The most serious charge against him has a sentencing range of six to 30 years in prison, without the possibility of probation.

Gengler said anyone who might have witnessed the shooting or who can provide additional details to investigators is asked to call the sheriff's office at (630) 232-6840.