On Tuesday, Department of Justice (DOJ) Spokeswoman Jamie Hais announced that the FBI and the Criminal Section of the Civil Rights Division of the DOJ have started investigations into the beating death of Ramirez. The opening of these investigations follows reports that local officials inadequately responded to Ramirez’s death. MALDEF has been critical of local authorities for their delayed investigations and for their public disbelief that local teens could have committed such heinous acts. Gladys Limon, of MALDEF’s Los Angeles office, told reporters about the importance of involving federal authorities:
