Father of 2022 deadly shooting victim in York reflects after new charges announced
By Morrissey Walsh
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YORK, Pennsylvania (WGAL) — It’s been four years since a shooting in York City took the life of 24-year-old Roman Padilla, leaving his family searching for answers. Some answers came Wednesday, when York City police charged a man, who was a juvenile at the time, with the killing.
“We knew this day was going to come; we just didn’t know when,” said Will Padilla, Roman’s father. “But it’s here.”
Significant development unfolds Wednesday morning for Padilla started with an unexpected, but not unwelcome, phone call from York City police detectives, marking a significant development in his son’s case.
“I didn’t know how to react. In a way, I was kind of happy. But it’s not really anything to celebrate. I guess the accountability kicked in, and now I’m able to get that closure with my family we have been waiting for, for three years,” Padilla said. “I do feel like I got closure, like I said, but at the same time. It feels like I’m going to relive the moment again.”
Detectives compile enough evidence to charge Carlos Rivera after nearly four years Detectives have been working on the case since 2022, compiling evidence to bring charges against 21-year-old Carlos Rivera. “We were able to finally put this to a resolution, hopefully, and at the very end gets justice for these families,” Detective Commander Andy Baez from the York City Police Department said.
Rivera is charged with criminal homicide in connection with the death of Roman Padilla. According to charging documents, a witness came forward in May 2023, alleging Rivera’s involvement in Padilla’s death and providing Padilla’s contact information to Rivera for a marijuana purchase.
In January 2024, another witness informed police that Rivera attempted to rob Padilla and confessed to killing him.
“It’s still a little emotional roller coaster right now, because the end of the day, it’s not just us hurting. I’m pretty sure, his side of the family’s hurting as well,” Padilla said.
It took almost four years to charge Roman’s alleged killer, but York City detectives say this case had teeth.
“It was just a matter of putting it all together, putting the right pieces in place, because, again, we don’t want to go to court with just half the information, because that’s not going to gain us anything,” Baez said.
Rivera would have been 17 at the time of the shooting.
“I’m asking for accountability and justice from this individual. And that’s all we want,” said Padilla.
Will honors his son daily at work Will Padilla says he honors his son daily through his work at RMP Towing.
“I have my vehicle, license plates. Everything is RMP. I wear his hat, my clothes, my uniforms. I represent his name, his initials, which is Roman Maurice Padilla. I represent him 24 hours a day. And that’s what keeps me going every day,” said Padilla.
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