Somers Point Man Convicted In Murder Of Absecon Father Of Two

An Atlantic County jury has convicted a Somers Point man of the murder of a 26-year-old Absecon father of two in Atlantic City in September 2016, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner said.

Luis A. Maisonet, 55, could face life in prison for the murder of Christopher Romero. He shot Romero in the Zumiez store around noon on Sept. 1, then fled the scene and shot himself, authorities have said.

“Maisonet callously killed Christopher Romero in front of several witnesses, and threatened other lives through his selfish, cowardly actions," Tyner said. "At trial he showed no remorse. While this verdict will not bring back Mr. Romero, it serves as yet another example of the deadly prevalence of domestic violence in our society.”

The jury also found Maisonet guilty of possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, aggravated assault by pointing a firearm at a person, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a firearm by a convicted person, Tyner said.

“This was a senseless tragedy and we are gratified that the jury recognized it for what it was – cold blooded murder," First Assistant Prosecutor Cary Shill said. "Christopher Romero was a father of two, including a child who was born after his death. We hope this verdict gives some kind of peace and comfort to the victims.”

Maisonet was arrested and charged on Sept. 7, 2016 in the fatal shooting during what the prosecutor's office called a "domestic related matter."

An off-duty cop from Camden County then wrestled the gun from Maisonet. He was hospitalized and arrested at the hospital on Sept. 7, 2016. He remains incarcerated in the Atlantic County Justice Facility on $1 million bail, with no ten percent option.

Anyone with information involving serious crimes is asked to call the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-909-7800 or go to the Prosecutor’s Office Web site at http://www.acpo.org/tips.html and provide information by filling out the form anonymously on the Submit a Tip page.

People can also call Crime Stoppers at 609-652-1234 or 1-800-658-8477 (TIPS) or visit the Crime Stoppers Website at http://www.crimestoppersatlantic.com/. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards for information leading to the arrest and indictment of those who commit crimes in Atlantic County.

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