A York, Pennsylvania man has been charged with criminal homicide nearly four years after a deadly 2022 shooting that left a 24-year-old dead, authorities announced Wednesday (March 4).
Carlos Rivera, 21, of York, was charged with criminal homicide, attempted robbery, and firearm violations in connection with the May 6, 2022, shooting death of Roman Padilla, according to ABC27.
Padilla was shot multiple times while sitting inside a vehicle on the night of May 6, 2022. After being shot, he tried to drive away, but the vehicle crashed onto a front lawn in the 800 block of South Pine Street. He was rushed to York Hospital, where he died from his wounds. At the time, investigators believed the shooting was targeted, but no arrests were made.
Rivera would have been just 17 years old at the time of the shooting.
WGAL News 8 obtained the affidavit of probable cause, which outlines how investigators built their case over several years. In May 2023, a witness came forward and told police that Rivera had been involved in Padilla's death. According to the affidavit, the witness said they had given Padilla's contact information to Rivera so Rivera could buy marijuana, and that Rivera later admitted he had tried to rob Padilla before shooting him.
A second witness came forward in January 2024 and told police that Rivera had confessed to the killing, including details that had never been made public — such as the type of ammunition used and how the deal had been set up.
In March 2025, investigators obtained a search warrant for Rivera's iCloud account and Padilla's iPhone, which had been found inside the crashed vehicle. Text messages from the day of the shooting showed someone using the nickname "los" — a known alias for Rivera — arranging to meet Padilla to buy marijuana. The last text was sent around 12:30 p.m., shortly before Padilla called 911 at approximately 12:42 p.m.
Investigators also reportedly uncovered rap lyrics written by Rivera that referenced the shooting.
The York City Police Department credited Detective Adam Nothstein and others for refusing to let the case go cold. "Through continued investigative efforts and the dedication of our detectives, the case has now been solved," the department said in a statement.
The department also expressed hope that the arrest would bring comfort to the victim's loved ones. "We hope this development brings a measure of peace and closure to the Bailer/Padilla family and reassurance to the community that we will continue to pursue the truth and justice — no matter how much time passes," York City Detective Commander Andy W. Baez said.
Rivera has yet to be arraigned on his charges, according to court records.