Bryan Proenza, a 34-year-old father of five, was fatally shot in a road rage incident on January 16, 2024, in Riverview, Florida. The incident began when Proenza, who was driving a green Chevy Suburban with his fiancé, Rachel Keesee, and their two sons, turned north onto Balm Riverview Road from Rhodine Road. Jorge Ramirez, 21, who was driving a black BMW, began following Proenza aggressively after believing Proenza was trying to block his path to avoid a traffic light at the entrance to the
Kids Cove Learning Academy.
Ramirez's aggressive driving continued as he rammed the back of Proenza's vehicle multiple times, causing fear for the lives of those in the Suburban. When Proenza pulled over to check for damage, Ramirez pulled in front of them at an intersection. Proenza got out of his vehicle and walked to the trunk to retrieve two tire irons, leading to an argument with Ramirez. Despite Proenza's son warning him that Ramirez had a gun and the son taking cover in the vehicle, Ramirez shot Proenza three times from about 25 feet away. Proenza died en route to the hospital.
Ramirez was initially arrested on January 16 on three charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and was released three days later on $22,500 bail. However, he was ordered not to return to his home in Riverview or contact any witnesses or victims. A month later, Ramirez was rearrested and charged with second-degree murder. During a subsequent hearing, it was revealed that Ramirez had told his front-seat passenger, "Oh, watch this s--t," before getting out of the car and shooting Proenza. After the shooting, Ramirez used a racial slur and admitted to his passenger that he had shot the man.
The case has caused significant trauma for Proenza's family, who expressed relief when the judge decided to hold Ramirez in jail without bail. Proenza's fiancé, Rachel Keesee, stated that she felt helpless during the incident and that the family was scared of encountering Ramirez again, given that he lived close to them. The family has started a GoFundMe campaign to cover funeral expenses and financial support for Proenza’s fiancé and children.
Ramirez is currently being held at the Falkenburg Road Jail, and the community has rallied around Proenza's family, offering support and calling for justice in the wake of this tragic event.
