Two men from Florida reportedly boasted about the killing of an off-duty firefighter in 2019, a case that resumed with striking testimony in court on Tuesday.
Torrey Halston, 26, and Jose Garcia Romero, 27, face multiple charges, including first-degree murder, robbery with a deadly weapon, and conspiracy related to the death of Coral Springs Parkland firefighter Christopher Randazzo, 39.
The individuals are accused of shooting Randazzo outside a Lauderdale-by-the-Sea resort around 1 a.m. on October 19, 2019, after he left the Aruba Beach Cafe, where he was employed as a bartender.
On Tuesday, Cheyenne Papachi, the ex-girlfriend of a third suspect who has pled guilty to related charges, recounted the events she witnessed that night.
Papachi stated that Halston and Garcia-Romero, armed at the time, robbed Randazzo while he was with her partner, Marco Rico.
“I know Jose and Tory were walking down the street while Marco and I were at the beach,” she noted.
When the group returned to the vehicle, Halston and Romero informed them that they had stolen someone’s sneakers and phone, according to her testimony.
She also mentioned that Halston, realizing the iPhone was locked, insisted on returning to the scene to obtain Randazzo’s phone password.
However, upon arrival, they found Randazzo lying on the ground, incoherent, when Halston and Garcia-Romero called out for the password, Papachi explained.
The witness further alleged that Halston fired the fatal shot, later expressing, “I think I got him” and “I saw him fall.”
Papachi recalled Halston seemingly pleased with the act, exclaiming, “I can’t believe we caught a body.”
“And he was smiling about it,” she added.
Halston reportedly termed his firearm as “my service weapon” and appeared boastful about the killing, while Garcia-Romero looked just as satisfied, according to Papachi.
She also recalled Halston suggesting to Garcia-Romero, “We can rob him, we can shoot him.”
Later, a woman discovered Randazzo “lying in front of the hotel” where the murder occurred. The woman reportedly told 911 she feared her husband was dead.
Prosecutors indicated that the suspects took Randazzo’s Nike sneakers, iPhone, $55 from his wallet, and his car keys.
If found guilty, Halston and Garcia-Romero could potentially face life sentences without parole.
Sources revealed that Randazzo attained his firefighter and paramedic certifications from the Coral Springs Area Public Safety Institute just a year prior to his death. He joined the Coral Springs Parkland Fire Department in March 2019, only seven months before the tragic incident.
