Amidst neighborhood unease, the Pacifica Police Department has confirmed the arrest of 44-year-old Christopher Romero following a tense incident involving a firearm that took place on Franz Court. on Wednesday, at around 6:20 PM, authorities were called to address a family disturbance, where the adult son of the household was reported to be in a volatile state, causing damage within the property.
Per the official police account, while officers were speaking with the reporting party outside the residence, gunshots rang out from within, prompting an immediate bolstering of law enforcement presence. The situation escalated as neighboring forces established a secure perimeter. Romero, identified as the resident's son, was the sole individual inside during the incident and eventually surrendered to officers' instructions without physical confrontation, preventing what could have been an even graver outcome.
A meticulous investigation ensued, revealing that Romero had negligently discharged a handgun. Fortunately, the reckless act did not result in injury. Police recovered the weapon involved, assuring the community of no further immediate threat. Reflecting the gravity of the situation, Romero faced arrest for negligent discharge of a firearm, a serious offense categorized under section 246.3(a) PC. He was thereafter booked into the San Mateo County Jail.
The aftermath of the incident saw the issuance of an emergency gun violence restraining order (GVRO), a judicial countermeasure to prevent further incidents of a similar nature. According to the Pacifica Police Department, Romero was formally served with this GVRO, a step indicative of the severity with which such occurrences are handled.
Authorities have not let the matter rest following Romero's apprehension, continuing to solicit input from anyone with additional knowledge on the event. The Pacifica Police urge the public to contribute any relevant information by either contacting them directly or utilizing the Silent Witness Tip Line. Online crime tips can also be submitted through the Pacifica Police Department's website.
