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Man charged in shooting death of McKees Rocks man

HANOVER TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Police said a man has been charged in the shooting death of a McKees Rocks man whose body was found in Washington County.

Kristopher Lott was taken into custody Friday and will be charged with homicide in the death of 21-year-old Ryan Ramirez, police told Channel 11 News.

According to the coroner, Ramirez's body was found around 10 p.m. Thursday in a wooded area off of Steubenville Pike in Hanover Township.

Ramirez was last seen on Monday and his family reported him missing on Thursday to Kennedy Township police.

Allegheny County police said their preliminary investigation indicates that the series of events that led to Ramirez's death started in Allegheny County.

Earlier this week, Lott was arrested for drug charges, along with Lauren O’Conner. According to a police report, when officers questioned Lott, they found seven syringes in O’Conner’s bag when police asked for her ID. Police also found five empty baggies consistent with bags usually used to package heroin and a 32-calibar loaded handgun O’Conner had.

Ramirez’s family told Channel 11 that their son was dating O’Conner and that she is Lott’s ex-girlfriend.

O’Conner is not charged in connection to the murder of Ramirez. Family members said they have attempted to contact her, but she would not comply.

A day after his body was found, Ramirez’s loved ones gathered at the family’s home, remembering a man who always had a smile on his face.

"Ryan was such a special, loving, caring, generous person who loved life," Ramirez’s mother, Shari Ramirez, said.

His brother, Sean Ramirez, said his family wants justice.

"To think that they would get themselves in trouble rather than saving a human being is beyond me,” Sean Ramirez said.

As more and more people came to see the family and pay their respects on Friday, Ramirez's mother said it was clear that her son made an impact on people’s lives.

"He had so many friends, so many people that loved him. I hope he realizes that,” Shari Ramirez said.