An Orange County man suspected of shooting his estranged wife and kidnapping his 9-year-old son Wednesday might be in the San Diego County area driving a large motor home, authorities said.
Orange County sheriff's Sgt. Kevin Bieker said Lonnie Ramos, 46, has a girlfriend in North County and told the man who rented him the motor home he was planning on taking some day trips within Southern California.
An Amber Alert is in effect throughout California for Ramos, who is believed to be driving a 39-foot, purple-and-gold Fleetwood Providence motor home with license-plate number 5EGW556.
Ramos is suspected of shooting his estranged wife in the face and abdomen with a semiautomatic weapon when she drove to his Lake Forest home Wednesday to pick up their son, Ryan, for a custody exchange.
The 41-year-old woman, whose name was withheld, was critically wounded but is expected to survive.
“For someone that was shot twice, she's doing better than could be expected,” Bieker said.
A friend of the victim's and a 4-year-old girl also were in the car Wednesday, but were uninjured.
The department said Ramos was seen later that day with his son trying to buy plane tickets at John Wayne Airport.
Authorities said Ramos should be considered armed and dangerous. Border Patrol agents have been notified in case he tries to head for Mexico.
Ramos could be driving one of two other vehicles: a white, two-door Chevrolet Suburban with license plate 5LTC712, or a red Porsche convertible with a black top, with license plate 4BWU827.
J. Harry Jones: (760) 737-7579; jharry.jones@uniontrib.com
