A Florida sheriff said criminals should “expect to be shot” after releasing information about a homeowner who opened fire on two masked men trying to break into his home, killing one.
The deceased suspect has been identified as Jorge Nestevan Flores-Toledo, 23, of Mexico, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.
The second suspect, Michel Soto-Mella, 39, an illegal immigrant from Chile, is charged with armed robbery, with other charges pending, according to the sheriff's office.
Just after 9:00 p.m. Thursday, a Manatee County homeowner saw the two men enter his backyard through his video surveillance system, according to authorities.
Michel Soto-Mella is charged with armed robbery, with other charges pending, according to the County Sheriff's Office.
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“He knew something bad was going to happen and he didn't hunt,” MCSO Sheriff Rick Wells said at a press conference Friday. “Then he took his gun [and] told his wife to go to a safe place.”
The homeowner fired multiple times, hitting Flores-Toledo “multiple times,” while Soto-Mella fled the scene, according to the sheriff's office.
“I sat by the lanai, the door was open,” John Nuceder, who was visiting a family member in the area, told Fox 13. “I heard three gunshots.”
Jorge Nestevan Flores-Toledo, known as Anibal Miller-Valencia, 23, from Mexico, was killed in the incident.
Authorities say Flores-Toledo was listed in critical condition before being taken to Sarasota Memorial Hospital, where he died Friday morning.
“This is the state of Florida,” Wells said. “If you want to break into someone's house, you should expect to be shot.”
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Deputies tracked down Soto-Mella, who was in the country illegally after his 90-day visa expired in September, using K9 units and arrested him a block away, according to the sheriff's office. The scene was secured and everyone involved was identified, there was no danger to the public.
Detectives are currently investigating Flores-Toledo's background and “want to understand” why he and Soto-Mella went to the home, according to a statement released by the sheriff's office Friday afternoon.
A Manatee County man opened fire on two potential home invasions Thursday night.
“We're trying to get everything we can out of [surviving] suspect,” Wells said. “He's cooperating somewhat, but he's not telling us everything.”
In court, Fox 13 reported that Soto-Mella used an interpreter to tell the judge that he had no guns.
Manatee County detectives said they believe there may be others involved in the crime.
Flores-Toledo, also known as Anibal Miller-Valencia, was arrested in Oak Brook, Illinois in 2023 and served four months in prison on a burglary charge before being paroled in November, according to authorities. He had an active warrant for a parole violation and was considered “armed and dangerous.”
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The Manatee County Sheriff's Office did not immediately respond to questions from Fox News about whether the homeowner is facing charges. His identity had not been released, as of Friday night.
Fox 13 Tampa BayChuck Merlis and Ryan Burkett contributed to this story.
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