An illegal immigrant from Honduras was arrested Sunday in Haines City, Florida, after he allegedly tried to kill his ex-girlfriend's new boyfriend and accidentally shot himself in the finger.
According to WFLA-TVthe attack occurred on Sunday around 5:45 p.m. Police said the suspect, Jarvin Omar Mendieta Romero, was going through a “difficult breakup” with his girlfriend of 20 years, who apparently broke up with him about four months ago. Police say Romero has sent a series of increasingly violent and threatening text messages to her ex since their breakup, including at least one photo of herself with a firearm. It is said that it was
Romero reportedly drove to his girlfriend's house Sunday and demanded entry. When her ex-girlfriend and new boyfriend refused to enter, Ms. Romero removed the back screen door of the home, forced entry, and angrily fired at her new boyfriend, striking her in the hand, chest, shoulder, and head. Police say her new boyfriend miraculously survived, but Romero somehow “blown off” her own ring finger during the riot, then dropped the gun and fled the scene on foot.
Police found Romero after a “multi-agency search” involving Haines City Police, Lake Alfred Police and Polk County Sheriff's Office, WFLA said. He was reportedly found by a Polk County K9 hiding in trees several miles from the crime scene.
WFLA also reported that Romero is not legally allowed to enter the country and it is unclear at this time how long he has been living in the United States. Police were reportedly involved in another break-and-enter incident involving Romero and his ex-girlfriend in early 2024, but for reasons that are unclear, Romero was not deported after that incident.
Romero has been charged with attempted first-degree murder, assault and battery, and numerous other charges in connection with the incident.
