In the autumn of 2017, a young man’s life was cut short on a residential street in Union, New Jersey, leading to a swift investigation and the arrest of two individuals. Jose Yampier Diago, a 19-year-old male from the neighboring city of Elizabeth, was found suffering from a fatal gunshot wound on the afternoon of Sunday, October 8, 2017. The incident occurred at approximately 2:30 p.m. in the 700 block of Trotting Road, where responding police officers discovered Diago.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Family members who gathered near the scene were plunged into mourning, with an uncle, Candido Morales-Diaz, lamenting that his nephew had recently started associating with a 'bad crowd.' He recalled Diago as a talented basketball player before these new influences. While family acknowledged Diago had a criminal history and gang involvement, they were left searching for answers as to why he would be killed on a quiet street. Witnesses in the neighborhood reported seeing a vehicle pull up and someone inside fire multiple shots, after which Diago was seen lying on the ground.
The investigation into the shooting moved quickly, involving the Union County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Task Force, the Union and Mountainside Police Departments, and the Union County Sheriff’s Office. Their collaborative efforts led to the apprehension of two suspects from Union. A 17-year-old male, whose name was not released due to his age, was charged with first-degree murder and second-degree weapons offenses. He was taken to the Union County Juvenile Detention Center. The second suspect, 22-year-old Willy Rodriguez-Gil, was arrested and charged with first-degree robbery. He was lodged in the Union County Jail.
While the Union County Prosecutor's Office did not immediately release a motive for the fatal shooting, the Union Police Director was quoted in one report stating that the incident was believed to be 'an isolated drug deal gone bad.' The investigation was described as ongoing, with authorities appealing to the public for any additional information regarding the homicide that claimed the life of the 19-year-old.
