On the evening of December 27, 2023, the sound of gunfire pierced the air in Camden, New Jersey, forever altering the lives of many. At approximately 6:07 p.m., a ShotSpotter activation drew Camden County Police to the 1400 block of Louis Street. There, they found 35-year-old Esterlin Torres of Pennsauken, a man described by those who knew him as a dedicated community leader, suffering from gunshot wounds.
Surveillance footage from the area reportedly captured an individual opening fire on the vehicle Torres was in. After being struck, Torres fell from his vehicle, but passengers managed to get him back inside and rush him away from the scene.
Torres was first taken to Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital and then transferred to Cooper University Hospital. Despite the efforts to save him, he was pronounced deceased at 8:39 p.m. The tragic event cut short the life of a man remembered for his tireless work with numerous businesses and nonprofit organizations, leaving behind a legacy of compassion and a commitment to positive change. His obituary celebrated a life lived with loyalty, integrity, and unwavering dedication to his family and friends.
The investigation into the shooting quickly progressed, and a suspect was identified. On December 28, 2023, just a day after the fatal shooting, authorities charged 21-year-old Isaac Santiago of Camden with the crime. The charges brought against him were severe, including first-degree murder, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, and second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
Following an intensive search, the U.S. Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force located and apprehended Santiago in Camden on January 3, 2024. The investigation pieced together evidence, including ballistic evidence from shell casings found at the scene which were linked to a firearm discovered in a nearby alley, further implicating the suspect in the shooting. While an arrest has been made, the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Esterlin Torres remains ongoing.
