Homicide Report > Lina Romero, 31
Lina Romero, 31
Died Feb. 3, 2011
Lina Romero, a 31-year-old Latina, died Thursday, Feb. 3, a month after she was shot in the 600 block of Illinois Street in Pomona, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.
On the evening of Jan. 4, authorities received a call that a person had been shot near William and Illinois streets, according to a Pomona Police Department news release.
A second call about a shooting victim came in as officers were responding. Police arrived and found Romero with a gunshot wound. She was taken to County-USC Medical Center to be treated for her injuries.
She remained at the medical facility until her death. According to coroner's records, she died from a gunshot wound to the back.
Soon after the shooting, officers "located a suspect vehicle," a 2002 red Honda Accord. It had crashed into a parked car and was abandoned. Police recovered two handguns from inside, officials said.
During the investigation, detectives learned the shooting was gang-related and identified the alleged assailants as Andrew Alvarez, a 22-year-old Latino, and Ruben Vargas, a 34-year-old Latino.
Less than two weeks after the shooting, Alvarez was arrested and charged with two counts of attempted murder, two counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm and one count of shooting at an inhabited dwelling. Because Romero has since died, officials said one of the attempted murder counts will be amended to murder.
Authorities have also alleged the assault was committed "in association with a criminal street gang with the specific intent to promote, further and assist criminal conduct by gang members." Alvarez is being held in lieu of $1-million bail at the Pitchess Detention Center in Castaic. His next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 9 at the Pomona Superior Court.
Vargas remains at large, officials said, and he is considered armed and dangerous.
Anyone with information about the fatal shooting or Vargas' whereabouts is asked to contact Pomona Police Homicide Dets. Freeman or Berger at (909) 620-2095. Callers can remain anonymous.
— Sarah Ardalani
Seven reader comments about Lina Romero
Lina was a beautiful, loving, n fun person to be around. She was the life of the party n she left behind alot of loved onez. She may be in a better place but she still deserves justice. My heart goes out to her mother n father. May u rest in peace n u will remain in our hearts forever i <3 u
Feb. 9, 2011 at 8:18 p.m.
Wait! she was shot in Pomona and transported to County USC in East LA ? I hope she was transported in a helicopter!
Feb. 10, 2011 at 11:42 a.m.
Lina was taken from to soon. She will be forever missed and loved...... I love you... R.I.p. Lina.
Feb. 12, 2011 at 11:18 p.m.
Lina was my best friend. And was a beautiful person inside and out she was tooken from us way too. She didn't deserve this. I love you lina
Feb. 16, 2011 at 9:32 a.m.
lina was my aunt and mom to me. she was a brigth person to la family and the brigth ligith at the pad
rest.in.peace lina TaNk romero
Oct. 4, 2011 at 3:59 p.m.
Was the deceased a gangster or was targeted for death for other reasons?
Maybe a family member was a gangster and she got gunned down because of him?
Oct. 5, 2011 at 12:49 p.m.
Lina was everything to me she was my aunt & a mother to me!! she was to young of a person to have died like dis
my nina cared for tha ppl she adored very much and she will bee missed
<3 te amo tia <3 ur gone butt neverr forgotten may u rest in peacee !!!
Feb. 10, 2012 at 3:31 p.m.
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