On February 23, 2024, Anthony Romero (dob: 5/26/1998) was convicted of Murder in the Second Degree, a Class A-I Felony, two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Class C Violent Felonies, and Tampering with Physical Evidence, a Class E Felony, in Schenectady County Court, Acting Schenectady County Court Judge Mark J. Caruso presiding.
Romero was convicted of murdering Treavine Tate (dob: 5/30/2001) on the night of May 30, 2022, Tate’s 21st birthday, on Hulett Street in Schenectady with an illegally possessed pistol. Surveillance video from the District Attorney’s Office Camera Project as well as that of private businesses captured the shooting. The video showed Romero and Tate engage in a verbal argument before Romero drew a pistol from a bag he was wearing across his body. The video clearly showed Tate was unarmed. Tate walked away from Romero after the gun was pulled and Romero pursued Tate into the street and then shot Tate repeatedly while Tate was walking away. Romero continue to fire into Tate's body after he had fallen on the ground.
Romero immediately fled the scene and his firearm was not recovered by law enforcement. Romero was immediately identified as a suspect but was not apprehended for approximately five (5) months when members of the United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force, which includes members of the Schenectady Police Department and Albany Police Department, located Romero in Albany after an exhaustive search. Romero testified at trial and admitted to shooting Tate, claiming he did so in self-defense. However, he admitted he knew Tate was unarmed. He further acknowledged firing every bullet in his gun at Tate but claimed he did not know at the time exactly how many times he fired or whether he fired while Tate was already down. He further testified that after the shooting he hid his gun, burned his clothes, and fled the state.
The jury rejected Romero’s self-defense claim, finding the People proved beyond reasonable doubt that the killing was not justified.
After the verdict, Judge Caruso remanded Romero pending sentencing proceedings. Sentencing is scheduled to occur on May 1, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. in Schenectady County Court. Romero faces a maximum sentence of twenty-five (25) years to life indeterminate for the murder charge. Romero faces maximum sentences of fifteen (15) years on each of the weapon charges. Romero faces a maximum sentence of two (2) years to four (4) years indeterminate for the tampering with evidence charge. The potential maximum aggregate sentence Romero faces is forty-two (42) years to life indeterminate when factoring in potential consecutive sentences.
Schenectady County District Attorney Robert M. Carney stated, “Assistant District Attorney Mike Nobles did an excellent job in explaining to the jury the defense of justification including all of the reasons it did not apply in this case: Romero did not appear to be afraid on the video, he was not in imminent danger by the unarmed Mr. Tate, Romero was the initial aggressor by pulling his pistol and pointing it at Tate, and Romero had a duty to retreat which he could have easily done. Mr. Romero killed this young man on his 21st birthday out of jealousy and malice.”
The case was investigated by the Schenectady Police Department, the New York State Police Computer Forensic Laboratory, and Schenectady District Attorney’s Office Investigators. The People are represented by Assistant District Attorney Michael Nobles. Romero is represented by attorney Kyle Davis.