Jose Oscar Hidalgo Romero, a 34-year-old man from El Salvador, was killed in a workplace shooting in Edgewood, Maryland. On the morning of Wednesday, October 18, 2017, a coworker opened fire at Advanced Granite Solutions in the Emmorton Business Park, killing Romero and two other employees. Two additional coworkers were wounded in the attack.
Romero, a granite polisher, was described by his brother as being fearful of the coworker who would eventually take his life.
He had reportedly complained to the company's owner about the man's aggressive behavior, which included punching people and starting fights. According to his brother, Romero had been actively seeking new employment for several weeks prior to the shooting due to his concerns. Despite the complaints from Romero and other employees, no action was reportedly taken against the coworker.
The man identified by authorities as the gunman, Radee Labeeb Prince, gathered his coworkers together before he began shooting. Following the shooting at the Edgewood business, Prince fled the scene. Later that day, he was accused of shooting another man in Wilmington, Delaware. After a manhunt, Prince was arrested in Delaware.
Romero was remembered as a humble and giving person who was deeply involved in his church. He was working in Maryland to support his wife and children, who lived in El Salvador, with the hope of one day bringing them to the United States.
