Authorities in Louisiana captured the suspected killer who shot a motorist in Trenton during an altercation related to a car crash.
Mercer County Prosecutor Janetta D. Marbrey announced today the arrest of Bruno J. Laboy Santiago, Jr., 33, of Trenton, in connection with the shooting death of 25-year-old Wilmer Eliu Vidal Romero.
Laboy Santiago faces charges of first-degree murder and a second-degree weapons offense related to the unlawful possession of a firearm.
The incident occurred on the evening of Thursday, March 13, 2025, when Trenton Police responded to a Shot Spotter activation near the intersection of Dayton and Grand streets at approximately 11:23 p.m.
Upon arrival, officers found Vidal Romero in the driver’s seat of a Toyota 4Runner, suffering from a gunshot wound. Emergency medical services transported him to Capital Health Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased.
An investigation conducted by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Trenton Police Department revealed that Vidal Romero and Laboy Santiago had been involved in a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Liberty and S. Broad streets just minutes before the shooting.
The complaint alleges that Laboy Santiago “purposely or knowingly” shot Vidal Romero, resulting in his death.
On March 19, Laboy Santiago was apprehended during a traffic stop in Louisiana by a deputy from the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Department.
The suspect is currently held in the St. Tammany Parish Jail in Covington, Louisiana, awaiting extradition to New Jersey to face charges.
If convicted of first-degree murder, Laboy Santiago could face a sentence of 30 years to life in state prison and a fine of up to $200,000.
The second-degree weapons offense carries a potential sentence of five to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $150,000.
The investigation remains ongoing. Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact Mercer County Homicide Task Force Sergeant Roberto O. Reyes at 609-256-0997 or Detective Andrew Distefano at 609-209-3244.
As with all criminal cases, Laboy Santiago is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.