Friends and family of murder victim Tara Romero will commemorate the local teen’s short life with a balloon release on the second anniversary of her death.
Romero, 14, died at the scene of a drive-by shooting near the intersection of Cosmo and Del Monte avenues, in southwest Morgan Hill, Nov. 4, 2011, according to police. She was a freshman at Sobrato High School when she was shot.
Three other teens – friends and classmates of Romero’s – were shot in the drive-by attack that police said was motivated by rising tensions between local rival street gangs. Romero and the other shooting victims were not involved in illegal gang activity, and police said the suspects mistakenly targeted the group of teens.
The balloon release will take place 6 p.m. Monday, at the intersection of Cosmo and Del Monte avenues, according to Romero’s mother Annette Nevarez.
Five young men were arrested on suspicion of planning and carrying out the drive-by shooting just hours after the crime took place. Charged with murder and multiple counts of attempted murder in relation to the incident are Fernando Mateo Lopez, 21 of Gilroy; Ricardo Diaz, 20 of Morgan Hill; Esmeling Bahena, 19 of Morgan Hill; Ramon Gutierrez, 18 of Morgan Hill; and Primitivo Hernandez, 24 of San Jose.
They are also charged with an enhancement for carrying out the crime for an illegal street gang, according to authorities.
The suspects’ next scheduled hearing is Dec. 9 at the Hall of Justice in San Jose.
