Crime & Safety

Man Involved In Middlesex County Fatal Shooting Sentenced To Prison

A Perth Amboy man has been sentenced to serve 24 years in a New Jersey state prison for fatally shooting a Keyport man and wounding the victim’s sister in Woodbridge, Middlesex County Acting Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey announced Thursday. 

Angel T. Torres, also known as Angel Ramos, 40, of Perth Amboy, also was ordered to serve at least 18 years and seven months in custody before he can be released on parole for his role in the shootings.

Torres was sentenced to the term in New Brunswick on April 9, 2014 by Superior Court Judge Alberto Rivas.

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The prison term was imposed after Torres was convicted on February 24, 2014 of reckless manslaughter, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

During a four-week trial, Middlesex County Assistant Prosecutor Thomas K. Mannion presented evidence and testimony showing Torres was involved in the fatal shooting of Angel Vasquez, 29, of Keyport and wounding the victim’s sister, Lourdes Diaz, 43, on August 18, 2009.

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Torres, his son, Angel Diaz,  22, of Perth Amboy and a co-defendant, Axcel Diaz , 22, of  Woodbridge, were arrested and charged when an investigation determined that they sought revenge after Angel Diaz and Axcel Diaz were involved in a fistfight with Luis Vasquez, 28, and a group of unidentified companions.

Angel Diaz and Axcel Diaz solicited help from Torres, who went to Vasquez’s home in the Fords section of Woodbridge to confront him about the fistfight.

At some point, shots were fired through the door of the residence, striking Angel Vasquez and Lourdes Diaz. Luis Vasquez was not injured.

Both Axcel Diaz and Angel Diaz have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.

Angel Diaz and Axcel Diaz were just shy of their 18th birthdays when the crimes were committed, and were charged as juveniles until a three-year effort by the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office to try them as adults was upheld by the state Supreme Court in September 2012. 


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