NYC Gay Men Murders: Suspect Arrested in Relation to Robberies, Killing in Manhattan

New York City officials arrested a suspect for robberies and murders of drugged gay men in Manhattan
The individual, identified as 30-year-old Jacob Barroso, gave himself up to law enforcement personnel
The situation comes as authorities are still trying to locate the whereabouts of two other suspects in the killings

New York City officials arrested an individual concerning the robberies and murders of gay men who were drugged in Manhattan after the suspect turned himself into law enforcement personnel.

Officials charged the man, identified as 30-year-old Jacob Barroso from Harlem, for his role in the death of 25-year-old Julio Ramirez, who lost his life around the same time as 33-year-old John Umberger. The two victims died last spring after they ingested a lethal chemical cocktail while partying in separate clubs in Manhattan.

Suspect Arrested in Murders of Gay Men in Manhattan

Authorities are still looking for the whereabouts of two other suspects, identified as 35-year-old Jayqwan Hamilton and 34-year-old Roert Demaio. The two men, both from Brooklyn, were indicted last week for the crimes but have not yet been arrested, as per the New York Post.

The three men are considered members of a larger gang that is believed to be responsible for drugging and robbing people on 17 separate occasions throughout the city. The crimes allegedly occurred between September 2021 and August 2022, said police sources.

On March 3, the city medical examiner said that Umberger and Ramirez died of "acute intoxication" from a chemical mix of fentanyl, cocaine, ethanol, and other drugs. The two gay men were victims of homicide that stemmed from "drug-facilitated deaths," concluded the examiner.

Officials have also charged Barroso with murder, robbery, grand larceny, and conspiracy, some sources revealed. The supposed killers ambushed the gay men in separate incidents while the victims were on their way to leave the Q NYC and Ritz Bar and Lounge.

While there are very few details regarding Barroso's case, a Manhattan grand jury previously indicted Shane Hoskins on Thursday. According to the Gothamist, the latter suspect is currently facing six counts of robbery, identity theft, grand larceny, and conspiracy.

Death by Intoxication

Following the crimes, the victims' families later found out that money was taken from the financial accounts of the two gay men using facial recognition technology on their mobile devices. Members of the Ramirez family did not respond to a request for comment on Sunday regarding the incidents.

The mother of Umberger, Linda Clary, spoke in an interview on Sunday where she said that the case was "moving in the right direction." This is despite no one yet being charged for the murder of her son.

She also expressed her gratitude for the progress authorities have made about the case. Clary noted that she was relieved that police have already arrested some suspects and hopes that the remaining ones will also be taken into custody.

Another man, identified as Andre Butts, was arrested last June and charged with using Ramirez's credit card only hours after he died. The money was used to buy two pairs of Nike sneakers at a store in Soho that cost $544.38, said the New York Times.