It has been a week since Luis Romero Jr. was gunned down outside a Denver nightclub, killed as he tried to break up a fight.
Since then, Romero’s family has watched the news as police look from Colorado to Los Angeles to Mexico for a man who killed a Denver police detective and wounded another officer, the same day Romero was killed.
But not much has been said about the 21-year-old Romero, who loved to cook, play football and be with kids. His father believes the search for his son’s killer has been overshadowed because of the attention paid to the manhunt for the slain officer’s killer.
“I would like to extend my deep sorrow to those families because I know what they are feeling,” Luis Romero Sr. said. “But now it’s time to get to work on my son’s investigation.”
Romero Jr. was among a group of people standing outside the Subway nightclub at West 38th Avenue and Lipan Street when several gunshots rang out, hitting Romero and wounding another man in the leg. Romero died at Denver Health Medical Center.
Denver police said more than 30 witnesses who were at the nightclub in the early hours May 8 have been interviewed, but many are reluctant to talk.
“We have four detectives who are working on the case, when we normally have two,” said Denver police spokesman Sonny Jackson.
Police ask anyone with information about the shooting to contact Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867.
The Romero family is pleading, too.
“Please come forward and don’t be afraid. There’s another fugitive out there, and he’s a killer too,” said Emilio Romero, Luis’ uncle.
Romero Jr. liked to help others. He had been studying for his real-estate and insurance licenses while he worked as a partner and customer-service representative in his father’s insurance and real-estate company.
The former North High School varsity football player enjoyed playing billiards and poker and on his cousin’s flag football team, his father said.
Before Romero Jr. went to work for his father, he worked as a cook at Vincenza’s Italian Bakery & Deli in Wheat Ridge.
Greg Allen was a waiter when he and Romero Jr. worked together. He now owns the Italian restaurant.
Allen recalled the young man’s charm and how Romero Jr.’s Mari Munde lobster dish had become a hit with customers.
“He was very talented with Italian dinners and very full of life,” Allen said. “He was always joking and smiling.”
On Valentine’s Day, Romero Jr. presented a gift of chocolates and flowers to a first-grade class at Eagleton Elementary School in Denver. Romero Jr. told the students that he would teach them how to cook.
A large butterfly made by the schoolchildren is decorated with pink, purple and blue paper flowers and small handprints dipped in paint – a gift from them to Romero Jr.
“He was a 21-year-old beautiful child with a beautiful future,” Emilio Romero said. “I don’t want him to die in vain.”
Staff writer Annette Espinoza can be reached at 303-820-1655 or aespinoza@denverpost.com.
