A 21-year-old man is facing life in prison after pleading guilty in a deadly 2014 Halloween crime spree.
Anthony Romero of Salinas was arrested hours after he shot and killed Paul Chung, who was inside a car with his wife readying for a hike at Creekside Monument Park, and after robbing a three other men in Castroville—one of whom he shot and injured.
Romero admitted in court to using a firearm to kill Chung after he demanded their money and property. Chung handed over his wallet and the key to his vehicle, but in the midst of the robbery, Romero shot Chung in the head, killing him instantly.
After that robbery, Romero drove to Castroville, where he robbed a high school student’s phone while he waiting for a bus. He then drove to a separate location in the city, where he approached two men and stole their phones and money. When the men tried to run away from him, Romer shot at them, striking one of them.
Romero is facing 40 years-to-life in prison and is expected to be sentenced on April 15.