Romel Velarde was 16 when he was shot and killed outside his National City home on January 19, 2007, about 6:30 p.m. He was standing in his driveway in the 2300 block of East Division Street when two unidentified males approached; gunfire followed and Velarde was found fatally wounded. Witnesses saw the suspects flee on foot and reported a brown van or SUV driving away immediately after the shooting.

The case remains unsolved. The National City Police Department and San Diego County Crime Stoppers have repeatedly appealed for information; a $1,000 reward was offered on the 12th anniversary in 2019. No arrests or identified suspects have been announced and investigators continue to seek new leads.

If anyone knew Romel, saw activity in that neighborhood that evening, or has information about a brown van or SUV seen leaving the area, please contact investigators.