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A Florida sheriff said trespassers should “expect to be shot” after posting information about a homeowner opened fire on two masked men tried to break into his house and killed one.
The deceased suspect was identified as 23-year-old Jorge Nestevan Flores-Toledo of Mexico, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.
The second suspect, Michel Soto-Mella, 39, an illegal immigrant of Chile is charged with armed burglary and additional charges are pending, according to the sheriff’s office.
According to authorities, the Manatee County homeowner saw the two men enter the back of his home on his video surveillance system just after 9 p.m. Thursday.
According to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, Michel Soto-Mella is charged with armed burglary. Additional charges are pending.
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“He knew something bad was going to happen and he didn’t let up,” MCSO Sheriff Rick Wells said during a news conference Friday. “He grabbed his firearm [and] told his wife to go to a safe place.
The homeowner fired multiple shots, striking Flores-Toledo “multiple times” while Soto-Mella fled the scene, according to the sheriff’s office.
“I sat down next to the porch, the door was open,” John Nuceder, who was visiting a family member in the neighborhood, told Fox 13. “I clearly heard three gunshots.”
Jorge Nestevan Flores-Toledo, also known as Anibal Miller-Valencia, 23, of Mexico, was killed in the shooting.
According to authorities, Flores-Toledo was initially in critical condition before being taken to Sarasota Memorial Hospital, where he died Friday morning.
“That’s that State of Florida,” Wells said. “If you want to break into someone’s apartment, you have to expect to be shot.”
Officers tracked down Soto-Mella, who was in the country illegally after his 90-day visa expired in September K9 units and arrested him a few blocks away, the sheriff’s office said. The crime scene was secured and everyone involved was held accountable so there was no danger to the community.
Investigators are currently investigating Flores-Toledo’s background and are “trying to understand” why he and Soto-Mella targeted the home, according to a statement released Friday afternoon by the sheriff’s office.
A Manatee County man opened fire on two would-be burglars Thursday evening.
“We’re trying to get everything we can out of it [surviving] “Suspicious,” Wells said. “He’s been somewhat cooperative, but he doesn’t tell us everything.”
At a court hearing, Fox 13 reported that Soto-Mella used a translator to tell the judge that he had no weapons.
Manatee County Homicide Detectives said they believe there may be other people involved in the crime.
Flores-Toledo, who also went by the name Anibal Miller-Valencia, was arrested in Oak Brook, Illinois, in 2023 and served four months in prison for residential burglary before being released on parole in November, according to authorities. He had an arrest warrant for violating his probation and was considered “armed and dangerous.”
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The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to Fox News inquiries about whether charges will be filed against the homeowner. His identity had not been released as of Friday evening.
Fox 13 Tampa BayChuck Merlis and Ryan Burkett contributed to this story.
