By Liz Adkins
InkFreeNews

Daniel Romero

WARSAW – A Warsaw man will serve 35 years in prison after burglarizing a residence and shooting a person who was airlifted to a Fort Wayne hospital for their injuries.

During a jury trial in early October, Daniel Romero, 41, 1861 N. Vicky Lane, Warsaw, was found guilty of burglary resulting in serious bodily injury, a level 1 felony; and burglary with a deadly weapon, a level 2 felony.

Romero was sentenced in Kosciusko Superior Court One on Tuesday, Oct. 28.

Prior to sentencing, Kosciusko Superior Court One Judge Karin McGrath responded to a motion filed by Defense Attorney Nikos Nakos to merge Romero’s two felonies into one, requesting Romero only be sentenced on the Level 1 felony. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Joseph Sobek argued both felonies were separate charges with different elements, including separate victims and weapons. Nakos argued there was no case law to support Sobek’s statement and that the state did not mention the weapon utilized in the second felony charge.

McGrath agreed with Nakos, merging Romero’s convictions into just the Level 1 felony.

For burglary resulting in serious bodily injury, McGrath sentenced Romero to 35 years in the Indiana Department of Correction. Romero has 310 days of jail time credit.

McGrath also made a domestic violence determination in Romero’s case, which prohibits Romero from possessing a firearm for life.

Romero said he intends to seek an appeal.

Sentencing Statements

At sentencing, McGrath noted multiple letters were submitted to the court for her review.

Sobek read aloud a victim impact statement from the woman who witnessed the shooting. In her statement, the woman said being involved in Romero’s jury trial “physically drained” her and that her child is now “traumatized” as a result of Romero’s actions.

“They pull their hair out because of anxiety,” read the statement. “Loud noises scare them. I can’t bear to see your face ever again. This was never love. It was control and manipulation. You deserve everything coming your way. I will never forgive you for dragging my child’s spunk down.”

Sobek noted medical bills for the man who was shot by Romero were covered by the Indiana Victim Compensation Fund.

Nakos called three people to provide character statements on Romero’s behalf, including two relatives and a local pastor.

Mildred Cruz Romero, Daniel’s mother, described their family as “very tight.” Around 15 people attended the sentencing in support of Daniel, with Mildred stating family from Puerto Rico came to Indiana for the proceedings.

“I always will be proud of my son,” said Mildred. “He wanted to tell his story and be heard … I back him 100% and love him … I’m here to ask for mercy for my son.”

Francisco Cruz, Daniel’s uncle, also described their family as “tight” and that Daniel was “full of love and compassion,” and was that way toward the woman’s children. He recalled an instance where Daniel and his brother went to Puerto Rico to distribute supplies to hurricane victims.

“I’m here to ask for mercy and grace,” said Cruz. “He’s a standup guy and I know he can continue to get better.”

Bryan Lowe, a pastor at Home Church in Warsaw, said Daniel attends and serves his church.

“Watching Daniel, you see regret and hurt,” said Lowe. “In the past months, I’ve watched him have a deep repentance. One thing he is encouraged by is his continual goal of faith in Jesus.”

Following victim impact and character witness statements, Sobek and Nakos gave statements to the court.

Sobek said he found Daniel “utterly void of compassion. He continues to blame the victims for his actions and lacks remorse.”

He noted the child present during the incident thought “their mom may have been murdered.”

“(The man who was shot) didn’t even know Daniel and got shot anyway,” said Sobek. “Daniel knew exactly what he was doing and what he did that night says everything. Hoosiers have a right to feel safe and secure in their homes. This reflects the most horrific situation imaginable and is the stuff of nightmares. It’s a Level 1 felony for a reason.”

Nakos noted Daniel’s Integrated Reentry and Correctional Support score was low and that multiple character statements reflected him as a “good young man.” He requested Daniel receive the minimum sentence and allow him to eventually seek modification for alternative sentencing.

“He wanted to tell his story in court and shouldn’t be punished for that,” said Nakos.

“This was not the best action to do and I’m sorry to those I hurt,” said Daniel. “I ask for grace, and I know I can be a better person if given the chance.”

“You’re not being punished for telling your story,” said McGrath. “You’re being punished for your actions. There are no winners here today, and we’re beyond lucky no one was killed. But a lot of lives were changed that day.”

Affidavit Of Probable Cause

On Dec. 22, 2024, Warsaw Police officers responded to a shooting at a residence. A woman said a man was shot in the head by Romero, who left the scene in a vehicle.

Upon arrival at the residence, officers noticed a damaged front door frame and a large wrench and duct tape on the residence’s floor. The woman was applying pressure to the man’s head and said Romero broke into the home and shot the man.

According to court documents, the man said he was “just chilling” when Romero broke into the residence and shot him. The man was taken to Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital and then later flown to Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne. Emergency medical services reported the man sustained a gunshot wound that grazed his head and completely went through his left shoulder.

The woman told officers she was relaxing with the man when she noticed a vehicle had stopped outside of her home. She told the man she believed it was Romero. Before she could get to the door, Romero kicked in the residence’s front door, which was dead bolted and secure. During this, Romero held a large wrench and argued with the woman.

He then dropped the wrench, pulled a firearm, and pointed it at the woman. Romero then pointed the firearm toward the man, shot him, and left the scene.

Law enforcement checked addresses associated with Romero and found him at a Warsaw residence. Inside Romero’s vehicle, officers found a handgun consistent with evidence located at the scene of the shooting.

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