It felt like Merlin Santana was everywhere for a minute. If you grew up in the 90s, you knew him. He was the charming, fast-talking Romeo on The Steve Harvey Show, the kid who could hold his own next to comedy heavyweights like Cedric the Entertainer and Steve Harvey himself. He had that "it" factor—the smile, the comedic timing, and a career that looked like it was heading straight for the A-list. Then, in the early hours of a November morning in 2002, it all just stopped.
The news hit the industry like a lead weight. People weren't just sad; they were confused. This wasn't a "troubled child star" story. It wasn't an overdose or a high-speed chase. It was something way more senseless and, frankly, terrifying.
The Night Everything Went Wrong in Crenshaw
It was November 9, 2002. Merlin was 26 years old. He was sitting in the passenger seat of a car in the Baldwin Hills/Crenshaw district of Los Angeles. His friend, actor Brandon Adams (you might remember him from The Sandlot or The Mighty Ducks), was behind the wheel. They had just left a home in the area and were basically just hanging out when the unthinkable happened.
A person approached the vehicle and opened fire.
The shot that killed Merlin actually came through the trunk of the car. It was a single bullet that traveled through the right-front passenger headrest and struck Merlin in the back of the head. Brandon Adams wasn't hit, but Merlin was pronounced dead at the scene. Just like that, one of the most promising young Black and Latino actors of his generation was gone.
The Lie That Sparked a Tragedy
For a few days, the motive was a total mystery. People wondered if it was a robbery gone wrong or some kind of random gang violence. The truth turned out to be much more disturbing. It wasn't about money or turf. It was about a lie.
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Police eventually arrested three people: Damien Andre Gates, Brandon Douglas Bynes, and a 15-year-old girl named Monique King.
Here is what actually happened: Monique King had told her boyfriend, Gates, that Merlin Santana had made "sexual advances" towards her. It was a complete fabrication. But Gates and Bynes didn't wait for proof. They grabbed a gun, tracked down the car, and opened fire.
The LAPD later confirmed that the allegations King made were totally false. She had essentially signed Merlin's death warrant over a lie that never should have been told.
Justice in the Courtroom (Sorta)
When the case finally went to trial, the details only got grimmer. The legal system didn't go easy on the shooters, but many fans felt the sentences didn't bring back what the world had lost.
- Damien Andre Gates: The triggerman. He was convicted of first-degree murder and the attempted murder of Brandon Adams. He got three consecutive life sentences plus 70 years. He’s essentially never coming home.
- Brandon Douglas Bynes: He pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and assault with a deadly weapon. He was handed a 23-year sentence.
- Monique King: Because she was 15 at the time, her case was different. She was eventually found guilty of second-degree murder and attempted murder. She was sentenced to ten years in juvenile custody.
Ten years. For a lie that ended a life. That part of the story still sits wrong with a lot of people today.
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Why Merlin Santana Was Special
To understand why this death hit so hard, you have to look at what Merlin was doing for the culture. He wasn't just "Romeo." He was a New York-born Dominican kid who started out as a model before landing a recurring role as Stanley on The Cosby Show. He was the kid who was always trying to win over Rudy Huxtable.
By the time The Steve Harvey Show rolled around, Merlin was a seasoned pro. He earned nominations for both NAACP Image Awards and ALMA Awards. He was bridging the gap between African American and Latino audiences at a time when you didn't see that as much on mainstream TV.
Steve Harvey himself was devastated. He famously said at the time, "This kid is not a gangster. Whatever the situation was, he didn't deserve to die." Steve wasn't just his TV mentor; he saw Merlin as a little brother.
The Career That Was Cut Short
It’s easy to forget that Merlin was actually transitioning into film when he died. He had a role in the 2002 movie Showtime with Robert De Niro and Eddie Murphy. He was also a rapper, working on music that he hoped would show a different side of his personality.
If he were alive today, Merlin Santana would likely be in the same conversation as guys like Michael B. Jordan or Idris Elba. He had the range to do the goofy sitcom stuff, but he also had a physical presence and an intensity that would have aged perfectly into leading-man roles.
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Addressing the Misconceptions
Whenever a young Black actor dies in Los Angeles, the rumors start flying. Even decades later, you’ll see people on forums or social media trying to claim Merlin was "in the streets" or involved in something shady.
The evidence says the exact opposite.
Every police report and every witness statement pointed to the same thing: Merlin was a victim of circumstance and a malicious lie. He wasn't armed. He wasn't looking for trouble. He was a passenger in a car leaving a friend's house.
Actionable Steps for Fans and Creators
If you’re a fan of 90s TV or a creator looking to honor Merlin’s legacy, there are a few things you can do to keep his memory alive properly:
- Watch the Work: The Steve Harvey Show is currently streaming on various platforms like Hulu and Tubi. Go back and watch his timing. He was a master of the "slow burn" comedy.
- Support Afro-Latino Representation: Merlin was a pioneer for Dominican-Americans in Hollywood. Support current actors who are carrying that torch.
- Fact-Check the Narrative: When you see people spreading rumors about his death, point them to the court records. Don't let the "gang violence" trope overwrite the reality of a tragic murder caused by a false accusation.
Merlin Santana is buried at Saint Raymond's Cemetery in the Bronx. He left behind a daughter and a legacy of laughter that, honestly, hasn't been replaced in the sitcom world. He was 26. He was just getting started.