Seventeen-year-old Thomas Noe Romero was killed in Lamont, California, in the early hours of January 28, 2019. Around 1 a.m. Romero was driving on Hall Road when an unidentified person fired at his vehicle. His car then left the road and struck a fire hydrant near 10400 Velma Avenue, flooding nearby streets. Romero was found with multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene; the Kern County Coroner ruled the manner of death a homicide.

A passenger in Romero’s vehicle suffered moderate injuries and was taken to hospital. The Kern County Sheriff’s Office has not publicly identified any suspects or released a motive, and no arrests have been announced. The investigation remains open and the community is still seeking answers.

If anyone witnessed the shooting, saw the vehicle before or after the crash, or has other information, please contact the Kern County Sheriff’s Office.