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This Monday, three men were sentenced for their involvement in the attempted murder of car designer Alex Vega, which took place on August 27, 2019, in front of his home in Kendale Lakes, Miami.
A federal jury found Rolando “Roly” Ramírez, Rasheed “Free” Ali, and Tamrat “Shifta” Mason guilty after a three-week trial characterized by shocking testimonies, incriminating electronic evidence, and years of tension between Vega and his attackers.
Ramírez and Ali face life imprisonment for organizing and carrying out the contract murder plot, while Mason was found guilty of witness tampering.
Vega, present every day of the trial, expressed his relief and gratitude upon receiving the news.
"First of all, I thank God for saving my life and my family for their unwavering support during these difficult times. I also thank the Miami division of the FBI, the federal prosecutors, and everyone who helped me throughout this process," he wrote in an emotional statement posted on Instagram.
"This experience has been incredibly difficult, and my life has changed forever. However, I am relieved to see that justice has been served [...] I thank my guardian angel, who protected me from seven bullets that could have left me dead or paralyzed. [...] I hope they spend the rest of their lives in prison," he added.
A story of rivalry, business, and revenge
The root of the attack stems from a broken professional relationship between Alex Vega, 50, and Rolando Ramírez, 52, former partners and competitors in the lucrative world of luxury vehicle customization in Miami.
After financial disagreements related to the workshop Exclusive Motoring Worldwide, which Vega sold to Ramírez to settle debts, the rivalry grew into a legal and personal feud.
In 2011, a lawsuit concluded with a court settlement in which Ramírez paid Vega $25,000 (of which $20,000 came from his insurer).
Although Ramírez maintained the business and his trademark, Vega reported receiving threats.
"In due time. I'm going to kill you," Ramírez would have said after the agreement, según testificó Vega.
The 2019 attack: A failed assassination attempt
On the morning of August 27, 2019, while Vega was in his Land Rover at the entrance of his home in Kendale Lakes, a masked man approached him and shot him three times. Miraculously, he survived.
“It's hard when you are ambushed and shot at, and you think you are going to die, and it happens in front of your family. You have to show them your strength”, Vega declared in a recent interview with Local 10.
Since then, his life changed radically: “Every time I drive, wherever I go, I need security. [...] It goes everywhere, always by my side, it can detect gunpowder. It changes the way you live; you have to be cautious.”
The trial: evidence, testimonies, and convictions
During the trial, Vega took the stand to provide compelling testimony that included previous threats, electronic evidence (messages, videos, covert payments), and details of the attack.
The jury deliberated for seven hours before delivering its verdict:
Ramírez and Ali were found guilty of seven charges, including conspiracy to commit murder, interstate stalking, use of firearms, and witness tampering. Both are facing life imprisonment.
Tamrat Mason, 41 years old, was convicted of witness tampering, with a possible sentence of up to 20 years, although a less severe penalty is expected.
The reading of the verdicts was a tense moment. In the courtroom, family and friends of the defendants cried upon hearing the word "guilty" repeated three times.
For Vega, however, it was a moment of vindication:
"I told them I would give them the best gift: hearing those 'guilty, guilty, guilty' and knowing everything my family has suffered. There was no better feeling in the world."
Five years after the attack, Alex Vega can finally speak openly. His message is clear:
"I have waited five years to be able to speak. [...] There are bad people, we must be very cautious. [...] We need to stay alert to our surroundings and keep our circle very tight."
The final sentence is scheduled for August 19, 2025, and will mark the last step in the pursuit of full justice.
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