A family of four – Michael and Laura Jensen, 42, and their two teenage children, Emma, 16, and Jacob, 14 – were found dead inside their Des Moines residence on Feb. 13 after a 27‑year‑old undocumented immigrant allegedly entered the home with a firearm while seeking a ticket to President Trump’s State of the Union address.
Background
The Jensen family, recent graduates of Iowa State University, had moved to Des Moines earlier this year. Neighbors reported hearing gunshots around 8:30 p.m. on the night of the killings, and police were called to the scene after a neighbor discovered the front door ajar. Investigators from the Iowa State Patrol and the FBI’s Des Moines field office recovered three shell casings and a handgun near the victims’ bodies. The suspect, identified by authorities as Carlos Ramirez, 27, entered the United States without legal authorization and had been living in the area under a false identity, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
The Charges
Ramirez has been taken into federal custody and is charged with three counts of first‑degree murder, illegal possession of a firearm by an undocumented immigrant, and unlawful entry into the United States. The indictment, filed by the Southern District of Iowa, alleges that Ramirez deliberately sought a ticket to the State of the Union, believing it would grant him entry into a high‑profile political event. The case will be prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, with the FBI and Iowa State Patrol continuing to assist in the investigation.
Key Takeaways
- Three victims, all members of the Jensen family, were killed in a targeted shooting.
- Suspect Carlos Ramirez, an undocumented immigrant, faces federal murder and firearms charges.
- The alleged motive was to obtain a ticket to the State of the Union address, according to the indictment.
- Federal and state law‑enforcement agencies, including the FBI and Iowa State Patrol, are handling the case.
What's Next
Ramirez’s first court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 28 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, where a bail hearing will be held. The prosecution has indicated that a trial date will be set pending a superseding indictment that may add additional charges related to illegal entry. Investigators continue to review surveillance footage from nearby businesses and are working with immigration authorities to confirm Ramirez’s immigration status and any prior criminal history.
The Jensen family’s funeral services are planned for next week, and community leaders have called for increased security at high‑profile political events.