Suspect charged in Fremont homicides

Igmidio Mista arraigned on 3 counts of murder

Igmidio Mista is arraigned on three counts of murder in Fremont Municipal Court in Fremont today before Judge Robert G. Hart.

FREMONT -- The man accused of shooting and killing three men Sunday at a Fremont bar was arraigned today on three counts of murder.

Igmidio Mista, 33, was arrested on three counts of murder at 9:29 a.m. today and appeared at 1 p.m. in Fremont Municipal Court with local attorney Zachary Selvey.

Jim Melle, the city's law director, said Mr. Mista is not a U.S. citizen and considered a flight risk; the judge ordered him held without bond. 

A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for March 20.

RELATED ARTICLE: 3 shot to death at Fremont Bar

At a news conference today at 2 p.m., Fremont Police Chief Timothy Wiersma said that Mr. Mista is in the United States illegally, but it was unclear how long he has been here.

Khaalid Walls, a spokesman with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Detroit, said the agency has lodged an immigration detainer against Mr. Mista, indicating that officials there would have interest in pursuing immigration enforcement action after local proceedings conclude in Fremont.

The detainer request also notifies Fremont police that Immigration should be notified if Mr. Mista is released from their custody at any time so that Immigration can assume custody.

Mr. Walls said there would be no further statement from Immigration.

Mr. Mista was arrested this morning without incident at a Fremont residence at 611 South Park Ave. Police would not say who lives there.

The suspect, whose address police said is listed on charging paperwork as 508 Lynn St. in Fremont, is currently at the police department and will be taken shortly to the Sandusky County Jail.

A warrant for the man’s arrest was issued early this morning.

Two Fremont police officers went to the South Park Avenue site to follow up on leads, knocked on the door, and were met by one of the suspect's relatives. Police said the suspect came to the door when officers were on the porch, and he was apprehended without incident at the door.

Three men were shot dead in the early Sunday shooting at Last Call Bar in downtown Fremont. The victims were identified as bartender Ramiro Sanchez, 28, Elmore police Officer Jose Andy Chavez, 26, and Daniel Ramirez, 25. A fourth man Ramiro Arreola, 25, was taken to ProMedica Toledo Hospital and was treated and released.

Fremont police said immigration and customs officers contacted the local police department soon after the arrest. Immigration and customs officials will be contacting the Phillippines consulate in reference to the suspect "and his status to be in the United States legally," according to a written Fremont police statement.

In a statement issued Sunday, Fremont Mayor Jim Ellis said violence “can and does occur in any community in our nation.”

“Most often all that can be done is to mourn the loss of life, find and prosecute the perpetrators and pray for healing of the community's spirit. We will do all of these things as we offer help to the families of the victims, our neighbors, and keep them in our hearts,” he stated.