LANSING – The Department of Attorney General announced today that it has concluded its review of the December 1, 2023, officer-involved shooting death of Stephen Luis Romero, 33, of Lansing. The review found that the officers acted in self-defense and no charges will be issued against them. The investigation was conducted by the Michigan State Police.
It is standard policy for the Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office to request a review from the Department of Attorney General for all fatal shootings by officers in Ingham County to assess potential misconduct or criminal wrongdoing.
On the night of December 1, 2023, Lansing police responded to a domestic violence incident involving a firearm near Bancroft Park in Lansing. The initial 9-1-1 call came from Mr. Romero’s wife, who reported that her husband was intoxicated, had struck her, brandished a pistol at her, and she was alone in their car's driveway.
Upon arrival, two officers from the Lansing Police Department found Mr. Romero standing next to the open driver’s door of the car. They instructed him to display his hands and get on the ground. Mr. Romero initially complied by showing his hands and kneeling but did not lie face down as directed. Instead, he lifted his shirt to reveal a pistol in his waistband.
Despite further urgent instructions from the officers to lie face down, Mr. Romero reached for his pistol. Both officers then opened fire. After being struck and lowering himself to the ground, Mr. Romero again reached for his pistol and removed it from his waistband, prompting both officers to fire several more shots.
Lifesaving measures were attempted on-site by police and paramedics; however, Mr. Romero was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at a nearby hospital just after midnight on December 2nd.
The Department of Attorney General's review concluded that the officers only fired upon Mr. Romero when his hand was physically on his pistol.
Attorneys reviewed various materials including written reports from Lansing Police Department officers present at the scene, body-worn camera footage, a Michigan State Police Incident Report, Mr. Romero’s autopsy report, relevant 9-1-1 calls including one from Mr. Romero’s wife, and other pertinent documents.
The legal issue examined was whether the Lansing Police officers acted lawfully during their interaction with Stephen Romero when they used deadly force. Law enforcement officers are authorized to use force to protect public welfare but must balance this with human interests based on their perception of threats and an individual's apparent ability to carry out those threats.
Under all known facts and circumstances on that date, it was determined that the officers were justified in using deadly force in self-defense and defense of others present at the scene.
The Department reiterated its commitment to lead or support any investigation of officer-involved shootings upon request from any county prosecutor or law enforcement agency within Michigan.