Mystery solved in ’Glades gun death

No charges after fisherman shot

The mystery of the fisherman who died in a hail of bullets on the edge of the Everglades has been solved, with detectives declining to file charges for a bizarre reason that could have come from a TV crime drama.

Lawrence Ramdass, 46, of Plantation, was fishing from a boat in the Holey Land Wildlife Management Area in Palm Beach County last July when several shots rang out. One bullet struck him in the chest.

The shots came from a .45-caliber gun being fired for target practice by two men, Ricardo Galvan and Christian Salcedo, about a third of a mile away, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff ’s Office.

But because the two men had been taking turns firing the gun and could not see Ramdass, who was behind a vegetation-covered berm, detectives don’t know which one of them fired the fatal shot.

“Investigators found no criminal intent and this appears to be a tragic accident,” said Teri Barbera, spokeswoman for the sheriff ’s office. “PBSO detectives met with members of the

Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office and all agreed that there is no probable cause for an arrest at this time.”

The victim’s sister, Sandy Stallone, said she is shocked and disappointed that no charges were filed for what was at least an act of extreme recklessness.

“It wasn’t hunting season, and they shouldn’t be firing a weapon in the first place,” she said. “There are signs out there saying it’s illegal to shoot. Anyone that fires a weapon, you’re responsible for your actions, accident or no accident. I’m disappointed with our system. What example does this set for us?”

Neither Galvan nor Salcedo could be reached for comment.

The two men were firing in an area known to wildlife officers as the top illegal target-shooting range in the area. A Sun Sentinel review of state law enforcement records found that 125 people have been caught illegally firing guns in that area, with all but three let off with warnings.

A state wildlife officer had seen and questioned two men in that area around the time of the shooting but had rushed off to respond to try to help Ramdass. He worked with a sketch artist from the Sheriff’s Office. Detectives also found what was described as “evidence that appeared to be fresh” and were able to lift fingerprints.

They tracked down Galvan. He told detectives that he had been target shooting with his friend, Salcedo.

“Galvan voluntarily surrendered his .45 caliber gun for testing,” the Sheriff ’s Office said. “Both males were cooperative and advised that they both shot multiple guns that day, handing them back and forth. They both shot Galvan’s .45 caliber gun throughout the afternoon.” Testing confirmed that the fatal bullet came from that gun.

“The victim’s position was concealed from the target range by the target berm and a large amount of brush and tall grass,” Barbera said. “Galvan and Salcedo expected that no one would, or even could be behind the berm.” She said it can’t be determined who fired the fatal shot.