On November 25, 1992, 22-year-old Jose Aragon was tragically killed in San Timoteo Canyon, Riverside County, California. Aragon was practicing motorcycle stunts when he was approached by Orlando Gene Romero and his younger brother, Christopher Self. The brothers, along with an accomplice named Jose Munoz, engaged Aragon in conversation. After Aragon demonstrated some stunts, Christopher Self shot him.
Orlando Romero then picked up Aragon and taunted him, asking how it felt to be shot.
The murder of Jose Aragon was part of a larger crime spree orchestrated by Romero and Self, which spanned from October to December 1992. During this period, the brothers committed multiple crimes, including the murders of Joey Mans and Timothy Jones, as well as several attempted murders, robberies, and other felonies. The spree involved random acts of violence and terror, targeting various victims across western Riverside County.
Following their arrest, both Romero and Self were tried and convicted of multiple charges, including the first-degree murders of Aragon, Mans, and Jones. The juries found them guilty of numerous other felonies, such as attempted murder, robbery, and kidnapping. The court proceedings revealed the extent of their violent actions, supported by witness testimonies, physical evidence, and recorded statements made by the defendants.
In 1996, both Romero and Self were sentenced to death for their crimes. The California Supreme Court later upheld their death sentences, although some technical issues and specific convictions were addressed during the appeals process. The court's decision highlighted the severity of their actions and the impact on the victims and their families. The case remains a stark reminder of the brutal nature of their crime spree and the tragic loss of life, including that of Jose Aragon.
