On Thursday, February 27, 2025, around 6:00 p.m., Anaheim Police officers and Anaheim Fire & Rescue responded to the area of Ball Rd., west of Sunkist Ave., to check the welfare of a driver who appeared to be passed out behind the wheel.
Officers arrived on scene and discovered the subject had been shot. Officers and paramedics provided first aid to the victim before he was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced deceased shortly after arrival. The victim was identified as Anthony Aceves Espino, a 32-year old male resident of Anaheim.
Homicide detectives responded to the scene and immediately began their investigation.
The detectives, along with Gang Unit and Crime Task Force investigators, worked tirelessly through the weekend to identify and locate the primary suspect.
On March 4, 2025, detectives arrested 19-year-old Lawrence Romero, a resident of Orange. He was taken
into custody without incident. Mr. Romero was booked at the Anaheim Police Department for murder, and the case will be presented to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
Detectives are not disclosing any additional details at this time because the investigation
is ongoing.
Anyone with information about this incident may contact Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS.
The penalty for a 19-year-old who fatally shot someone in California can vary significantly based on the circumstances of the case. For example, in a recent case, Jose Vladimir Larin-Garcia was convicted of four counts of first-degree murder for a shooting spree he committed at the age of 19. The prosecution is seeking the death penalty, while the defense is urging for life imprisonment without parole.
The specific penalties can depend on factors such as the nature of the crime, any prior criminal history, and whether there are any mitigating circumstances. In general, penalties for first-degree murder in California can include life imprisonment without the possibility of parole or the death penalty.
