Merlin Santana was tragically shot and killed on November 9, 2002, in Los Angeles, California.
Merlin Santana, an actor best known for his role as Romeo on “The Steve Harvey Show,” met an untimely death at the age of 26. The incident occurred when Santana was in a car with a friend, parked outside another friend’s house in the Crenshaw district of Los Angeles. According to reports, two men approached the vehicle and opened fire, fatally wounding Santana. The friend who was with him managed to escape unharmed.
The investigation into Santana’s murder revealed that the shooting was the result of a false claim made by a female acquaintance of Santana’s. The woman, Monique King, who was only 15 years old at the time, falsely told her boyfriend, Damien Andre Gates, and his friend, Brandon Douglas Bynes, that Santana had made sexual advances towards her. This prompted Gates and Bynes to seek retaliation.
Gates was convicted of first-degree murder and attempted murder and was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences plus 70 years in prison. Bynes was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter and assault with a deadly weapon and received a 23-year sentence. Monique King was tried as an adult for her role in the crime and was sentenced to eight years in juvenile custody.
Merlin Santana’s death was a shock to his fans and the entertainment community. He had been a promising actor with a career that included roles on shows like “The Cosby Show” and “Moesha,” in addition to “The Steve Harvey Show.” His untimely passing was mourned by many who had admired his work and potential.