HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — Acting Gov. Josh Tenorio gave an address to the island regarding the apprehension of a man suspected to be involved in the fatal shooting of a Korean tourist on Jan. 4.
On Wednesday, the Guam Police Department announced the arrest of Stefen Camacho, 26, who allegedly confessed to his role as the getaway driver in the robbery of a Korean couple and the fatal shooting of an approximately 60-year-old man.
On Thursday, Camacho was charged with complicity to commit aggravated murder and complicity to commit robbery, both as first-degree felonies with a special allegation of vulnerable victim enhancement, and theft of property and destroying evidence as misdemeanors.
Tenorio, in a video message, said he comes before the island “with a heart heavy in both sorrow and gratitude.”
Tenorio expressed “sorrow for the tragic loss of a fellow human being. A visitor who came to our beautiful island in search of peace, but met only with a senseless act of violence.”
The acting governor also said he was “grateful for the unwavering dedication, bravery and unity of those who delivered his assailants to justice and apprehended those responsible late last night.”
Camacho was apprehended following a nearly weeklong investigation which involved police obtaining surveillance footage from about 20 businesses in the Gun Beach Road area and receiving information from a “concerned citizen.”
“These past days have been marked by intense collaboration and a relentless pursuit that brought us to this moment. Thanks to the combined efforts of our law enforcement agencies, one suspect is in custody. And the other evaded justice, taking his own life without risk to anyone else,” said Tenorio, who referred to Keoki Santos, 28, the suspected shooter who committed suicide as he was being pursued by police on Tuesday in Yona.
Tenorio further extended his condolences to the Korean woman whose husband was shot in an act of “unjustified violence.”
“While this moment of sorrow has been at the center of our collective attention for the past week, let us never forget that unjustified violence anywhere in Guam is a crime against everyone in Guam,” Tenorio said before thanking all involved in the search, including the business that provided video footage, GPD, Park Police, the Guam Visitors Bureau and members of the community.
“The unity displayed by GPD, GVB and the island’s business community, who supported the investigation efforts, exemplifies the strength that arises when we join forces against immeasurable suffering. However, the true heroes in this story are our community members. Your cooperation, your vigilance and your unwavering support have been instrumental in bringing these criminals to justice,” Tenorio said.
“We do not forget that we are defined not only by our achievements but by our compassion, our ability to stand together in times of sorrow and our commitment to ensuring that Guam remains a sanctuary for all who seek its beauty. Today, we remember a life lost, but we also celebrate the strength of a community that rises above darkness together to affirm that justice will prevail,” Tenorio concluded.
Gun Beach Road, as seen Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in Tumon, was the site of the shooting of a Korean tourist on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024.
