Jury Finds Romero Guilty of 2022 Deadly Shooting in Schenectady

According to Schenectady County Assistant District Attorney Mike Nobles, there was a general consensus on the events that transpired and the identity of the perpetrator. “The challenge for the jury was to ascertain beyond a reasonable doubt that the act was not justified,” Nobles explained. “The jury’s verdict affirmed our position.”

Footage from the incident on May 30, 2022, depicted Romero in conversation with Tate before firing multiple shots at him. The pathologist from the Schenectady County Medical Examiner’s Office who performed Tate’s autopsy confirmed that a bullet, which penetrated his side, heart, and both lungs, was the cause of death.

“The video evidence was instrumental in this case,” Nobles stated. “It demonstrated that Mr. Romero exhibited no fear in the moments preceding the shooting, that the victim was completely unarmed, and that Mr. Romero was the instigator, drawing his weapon. He pursued the victim into the street and fired every bullet in his body, striking him up to six times, even when he was already down.”

Romero was found guilty on all counts, which also encompassed two charges of criminal possession of a weapon and one charge of tampering with physical evidence.

Judge Mark Caruso has set Romero’s sentencing for May 1. Romero could potentially receive a maximum sentence of 25 years to life for the murder charge, 15 years for each of the weapon possession charges, and 2-to-4 years for the evidence tampering charge.

Considering potential consecutive sentences, Romero could face a maximum aggregate sentence of 42 years to life. Nobles revealed that the District Attorney’s Office plans to request the maximum sentence from the judge.

Schenectady County District Attorney Robert Carney commended Nobles for his “excellent job” in outlining the defense of justification and the reasons why it was not applicable in this case.

“Romero did not seem fearful in the video, he was not under immediate threat from the unarmed Mr. Tate,” Carney stated. “Romero was the one who initiated the confrontation by drawing his gun and aiming it at Tate; he had an obligation to retreat, which he could have easily done. Mr. Romero took the life of this young man on his 21st birthday out of jealousy and spite.”

Defense attorney Kyle Davis, who represented Romero, indicated that they intend to appeal the verdict.

“Mr. Romero maintains that he acted in self-defense,” Davis said. “The evidence did suggest, and it is my belief, that he acted in self-defense. While I respect the jury’s decision, I do not agree with it.”