Group aims to reduce youth gang violence after deadly Escondido attack

ESCONDIDO, Calif. (KGTV) — The city of Escondido has seen an uptick in violent juvenile crimes in recent months, according to the police department, some of which is investigating possible gang-related incidents.

Last week, a teenager was stabbed and killed in a possible gang-related incident.

Friends identified the victim as Kayden Romo. He was only days away from graduating from 8th grade. On Saturday, police arrested two teenagers in connection with his death.

Police suspect the assault was gang-related, but those who knew him say Romo was not involved.

Today, Escondido police shared statistics that show a slight upward trend in juvenile violent crimes in the city.

In 2022, the department has 54 arrests for violent juvenile crimes, up from 55 in 2023. So far in 2024, the department says it has made 26 arrests of violent juveniles, an average of 5.2 per month.

Investigators told ABC 10News they were concerned about the uptick this summer with the school closed.

Organizations like Compact in Escondido exist in the community to help combat this type of violence.

Compact partners with the police department and the city to provide youth with everything from workforce development, intervention programs, mentoring and counseling.

Mirjana Rodriguez is the director of the Compact program and has a message for troubled teens.

“Give yourself the opportunity to not experience another loss of life; just give yourself the opportunity to explore another future,” Rodriguez says.

The teenagers arrested for Romo's death are only 16 and 17; they face murder charges with an allegation of gang empowerment.