In the summer of 2019, the life of 23-year-old David Duque-Soto was tragically cut short in his Fairview, New Jersey apartment. On Saturday, June 29th, authorities were alerted to a potential shooting at his residence on 4th Street. Upon arrival, they discovered Duque-Soto deceased from apparent gunshot wounds. The ensuing investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office and the Fairview Police Department would quickly unravel a plot of a robbery gone horribly wrong.
Investigators determined that a group of young men had targeted Duque-Soto with the intention of stealing drugs and money. Armed with firearms, they entered his apartment, and during the commission of the robbery, Duque-Soto was fatally shot.
The investigation moved swiftly, and within days, five individuals were taken into custody in connection with the homicide.
The suspects were identified as Carlos Burgos, 19, of Jersey City; David Martinez, 18, of North Bergen; Lexie Burke, 20, of North Bergen; and Raul Torres, 19, of North Bergen. These four were charged with felony murder, armed robbery, and conspiracy to commit armed robbery, among other offenses. A fifth individual, 18-year-old Dylan Rodriguez of North Bergen, was also arrested. Authorities stated that after the shooting, Burgos met with Rodriguez and gave him the gun used in the murder, which Rodriguez then concealed inside a private residence. Rodriguez initially faced charges of unlawful possession of a weapon and hindering apprehension.
Over the following years, the legal process brought a series of developments. By April 2022, Lexie Burke had pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter as part of a plea agreement. In August 2022, Dylan Rodriguez faced new and more severe charges, including first-degree felony murder and perjury, after authorities said he provided false information during a trial. In March 2023, a jury convicted David Martinez of felony murder for his role in the fatal shooting. Shortly after, in April 2023, Raul Torres and Carlos Burgos both pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter, robbery, and other charges. The resolution of these cases marked the culmination of a lengthy investigation and prosecution, bringing a measure of closure to the violent death of David Duque-Soto.
