A 27-year-old man has been sentenced to prison for his involvement in a 2021 murder that took place in Wilmington, Delaware.

On December 18, 2025, Michael Samuel “Pacho” Bernier was sentenced to 18 years of incarceration. The sentencing follows his conviction in New Castle County Superior Court on one count of Murder Second Degree.

“This case is a reminder of the layers of damage, often irreparable, that the drug trade causes in our communities,” said Attorney General Kathy Jennings. “I am profoundly grateful to our trial team and the Wilmington Police Department for their work on this case. Wilmington is a safer place because of them.”

In the early hours of October 17, 2021, Marquis Lopez, Jr. was walking along the 1500 block of 3rd Street in Wilmington when he was shot and killed by Bernier, who was reportedly feuding with Lopez over money owed for the purchase of drugs. Surveillance footage from a nearby establishment revealed that Bernier, who was leaving a nearby bar, drove up to Lopez in a silver Cadillac CTS and shot him four times before speeding off.

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