Teen dreamed of flying drones for the U.S. Air Force, until his life was cut short outside a party in Compton

A teen dreamed of being an Air Force drone pilot. But, in September, his life was cut short when he was gunned down outside of a party in Compton.

Now, authorities are offering a $15,000 reward for information about his killer.

On Feb. 7, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department announced a $10 reward for information. The figure was immediately increased by $5,000 by Col. Jack. E Thomas, of the U.S. Cadet Corps.

On Sept. 24, 16-year-old Ricardo Trujillo Ramirez was leaving a party with his friends in Compton, California, when they were confronted by a group. A fight took place, and a suspect pulled out a gun, according to the Los Angeles County Sherriff’s Department.

Ramirez was shot in the upper torso. Paramedics responded to the scene, but Ricardo died, according to the sheriff’s department.

Ramirez was a junior at Narbonne High School who enjoyed soccer, swimming and fishing. He also wanted to fly drones for the Air Force and served in ROTC and Junior Navy program for nearly eight years.

“It’s not easy to get up every morning knowing that he is no longer here because one person decided to take his life. I demand justice because my life is pointless without him. I’m asking people for help. Even the littlest of information may be of great help to them. He wanted to join the army for four years and after those four years, he wanted to be part of the DEA, I want to be a police officer, I want to be someone big because I have the instinct of helping people and I want you to be proud of me.’ Although he didn’t accomplished any of that, I’m always proud and will always be proud of him. On October the 8th, he was going to receive an award for his eight years as a Cadet in the ARMY,” said Ricardo’s mom, Norma Ramirez said in Spanish and provided by the sheriff’s department.

Anyone with information on the killing is asked to contact police at (323) 890-5500.