Romel Velarde, a 16-year-old resident of National City, California, was tragically shot and killed on January 19, 2007. The incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. in front of his home located in the 2300 block of East Division Street. According to reports, Velarde was standing in his driveway when he was approached by two unidentified males. Shortly after, gunshots were heard, and Velarde was found fatally wounded.
Witnesses reported seeing the two suspects fleeing the scene on foot, and a brown van or SUV was seen driving away immediately after the shooting.
Despite the passage of time, the case remains unsolved. The National City Police Department, along with San Diego County Crime Stoppers, has made several appeals to the public for information that could lead to the identification and arrest of the suspects involved in Velarde's murder. In 2019, on the 12th anniversary of the homicide, a $1,000 reward was offered for any information that could help solve the case. However, no significant leads have emerged, and the identities of the suspects remain unknown.
The investigation into Romel Velarde's death has been ongoing, with law enforcement officials continuing to seek any new information that might shed light on the circumstances surrounding the murder. The lack of arrests or identified suspects has been a source of frustration for both the authorities and Velarde's family, who continue to hope for justice. The case highlights the challenges faced by investigators in solving cold cases, particularly those involving random acts of violence with few witnesses and limited evidence.
