El Salvador Resident is Found Guilty for 1997 Double Murder

WASHINGTON - Oscar Diaz Romero, aka Oscar Alonzo Salguero, 47, of El Salvador, was found guilty yesterday in D.C. Superior Court, for charges related to the shooting deaths of 21-year-old Jose Roberto Molina and 22-year-old Jose Noel Coreas on August 9, 1997, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine F. Pirro.

Diaz Romero was found guilty of two counts of second-degree murder on March 25, 2026. Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman scheduled sentencing for June 5, 2026.

"This verdict reflects the unwavering commitment of our justice system to pursue accountability, regardless of how much time has passed, as this criminal killed two men and fled to El Salvador," said U.S. Attorney Pirro. "It should serve as a reminder that even when delayed, justice is never forgotten-and never denied."

According to the government's evidence, in the early morning hours, on August 9, 1997, Diaz Romero and several friends were hanging out on the 2nd floor of the then-Las Rocas restaurant in the 2400 block of 18^th Street, NW. A little before 2 a.m., a group of young men came in, and a fist fight started. Soon after, Diaz Romero pulled out a revolver and fired several times. One round hit and killed Jose Molina, a 22-year-old father of two. Another round hit and killed Jose Coreas, who was out celebrating his 22nd birthday. The defendant fled the scene and the country.

Diaz Romero was arrested in El Salvador in 2024 and extradited to the United States in January 2025. He has been in custody since.

Joining the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department.

This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department.

It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Dennis Clark and Richard Carlton.

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