"We are thankful the suspect is in custody and is unable to do this to another family," said Erin Collins, Stow's sister.
Their mother, Ann Stow, told reporters at a morning news conference at San Francisco General Hospital that she first learned of the arrest Sunday morning at about 7:50 a.m. when the lead detective called her from Los Angeles.
"He said I want to give you some information before you hear it on the news," she said. "At that time, my heart just dropped because he was going to share some groundbreaking news that they've taken into custody one of the suspects."
Stow was asked why she thought her son's beating had generated so much emotional reaction. She replied, "He was only 42. He was the father of two. He was a paramedic for the past six-and-a-half years, dedicating his life to helping so many people."
She added that the cards, donations and emails have come from around the world.
"In Sweden," she said, "I think even in Nicaragua, we saw something. It's not just national. It's worldwide."
Stow's family said they've entered "a new phase" in this event and asked for privacy while they monitor Stow's condition. He is still comatose and in critical condition, but doctors say they've stabilized him. Dr. Geoff Manley, Chief of Neurosurgery, says they have taken Stow off one of the five seizure medications he was given at USC Medical Center. Stow's mother said last week, he is now able to open his eyes but doctors still don't know what that means physiologically.
Thirty-one-year-old Giovanni Ramirez, an ex-convict and a documented gang member, was arrested Sunday morning by Los Angeles police in an apartment not far from the stadium. He's been booked on one charge of assault with a deadly weapon. He is accused of kicking Stow while he was on the ground. Police are still looking for a second suspect and a woman who was seen driving the getaway car.
The Los Angeles Times quotes police sources who say Ramirez is a member of the Varrio Nuevo Estrada street gang and has at least three felony convictions on his rap sheet. Those sources say he was convicted of attempted robbery in 1998, robbery in 1999 and firing a weapon in a public place six years ago. Arraignment is expected Tuesday. Ramirez is being held on $1 million bail.
