By: Richard L. Smith
A Trenton man is facing murder and weapons charges following a deadly shooting that occurred earlier this month, according to information released by the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office.
Bruno J. Laboy Santiago, Jr., 33, has been charged with first-degree murder and second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon in connection with the death of 25-year-old Wilmer Eliu Vidal Romero, also of Trenton.
According to court documents, Laboy Santiago is accused of knowingly and intentionally shooting Vidal Romero, leading to his death.
The incident took place on the night of Thursday, March 13. At approximately 11:23 p.m., Trenton police responded to a ShotSpotter alert in the area of Dayton and Grand Streets.
Upon arrival, officers discovered Vidal Romero in the driver’s seat of a Toyota 4Runner suffering from a gunshot wound.
Officers provided emergency aid at the scene before the victim was transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.
A joint investigation by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Trenton Police Department revealed that just minutes prior to the shooting, Laboy Santiago and Vidal Romero had been involved in a car crash at the intersection of Liberty and South Broad Streets.
Following a warrant issued in Mercer County, Laboy Santiago was apprehended on March 19 during a routine traffic stop in Louisiana.
He was taken into custody by a deputy with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Department and is currently being held at the St. Tammany Parish Jail in Covington, awaiting extradition to New Jersey.
If convicted, Laboy Santiago faces severe penalties.
A first-degree murder conviction could result in 30 years to life in state prison and a fine of up to $200,000.
The second-degree weapons charge carries an additional penalty of five to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $150,000.
Authorities say the investigation remains active and ongoing.
