In the late hours of a Sunday evening in Raton, New Mexico, the life of 20-year-old Hispanic male, Charles Romero Jr., was tragically cut short. On August 14, 2016, shortly before 11 p.m., police responded to a report of a shooting in the 1200 block of East 4th Street. Upon their arrival, they discovered Romero suffering from gunshot wounds to his upper chest and face. Emergency medical services were dispatched to the scene, and Romero was quickly transported to Miners' Colfax Medical Center.
Despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead shortly before midnight.
The investigation into the death of Charles Romero Jr. swiftly led to the identification of two suspects. Witnesses at the scene provided information that pointed to two brothers, Adrian Duran, also known as "Pelon," and Louis Duran, who went by the nickname "Brown Boy." Following this, warrants were issued for their arrests. The suspects were reported to have fled the scene in a red 1992 Pontiac van. Authorities cautioned the public that the men were to be considered armed and dangerous.
The charges laid against the Duran brothers were severe. Adrian Duran was wanted for first-degree murder and tampering with evidence. Louis Duran faced charges of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, tampering with evidence, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The Raton Police Department, led by then-Chief John Garcia, actively sought information from the public regarding the whereabouts of the two suspects to bring them into custody and answer for the death of Charles Romero Jr.
