A Florida sheriff released information about a homeowner who shot two masked men who tried to break into his home, killing one man, saying the intruders were “prepared to be shot.” “We should,” he said.
The man who died was identified as Jorge Nesteban Flores-Toledo, 23, a 27-year-old from Mexico, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office. The second suspect, 39-year-old undocumented immigrant from Chile, has been charged with armed robbery, with additional charges pending.
Shortly after 9 p.m. Thursday, a Manatee County homeowner saw two men enter the back of his home on his video surveillance system, authorities said.
Michelle Sotomela has been charged with armed robbery, and additional charges are pending, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.
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“He knew something bad was about to happen and he didn't stall,” MCSO Sheriff Rick Wells said at a news conference Friday. “He grabbed the gun. [and] I told my wife to run to a safe place. ”
The homeowner fired multiple shots, hitting Flores-Toledo “several times,” while Soto-Mera fled the scene, according to the sheriff's office.
A Manatee County man opened fire on two home invaders Thursday night.
“I sat next to him on the balcony and the door was open and I could clearly hear three gunshots,” John Newceder, who was visiting family in the neighborhood, told Fox 13.
Flores-Toledo was initially reported to be in critical condition and then taken to Sarasota Memorial Hospital, where she died Friday morning, authorities said.
“This is Florida,” Wells said. “If you want to break into someone's house, you have to be prepared to get shot.”
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Deputies used a K9 unit to track down Sotomela, who had been in the country illegally after his 90-day visa expired in September, and arrested him several blocks away, the sheriff's office said. . The scene was secured and all involved accounted for and there was no threat to the local community.
Detectives are currently investigating Flores-Toledo's background and are “trying to understand” why he and Soto-Mera targeted the home, according to a statement Friday afternoon from the sheriff's office. .
Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells spoke about the shooting at a news conference Friday.
“We are trying to get everything we can from the earth. [surviving] “He's been somewhat cooperative, but he's not telling us everything,” Wells said.
Fox 13 reported that Sotomela used an interpreter during the court hearing to tell the judge he did not have a gun.
Manatee County homicide detectives said they believe there may be others involved in the crime.
Authorities said Flores Toledo, who also goes by the name Anibal Miller Valencia, was arrested in Oak Brook, Illinois in 2023 and served four months in prison for burglary, before being released on parole in November. 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 a Fox News inquiry about whether the homeowner was facing any charges. His identity had not been released as of Friday night.
fox 13 tampa bay's Chuck Marlis and Ryan Burkett contributed to this story.
