- A homeowner in Manatee County, Florida shot and killed one of two masked intruders attempting to break into his home on Dec. 26.
- The deceased suspect is a Mexican immigrant with a criminal history. His accomplice, an illegal immigrant from Chile, was arrested and faces charges of armed burglary and felony murder.
- The homeowner is protected from potential prosecution under Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law, which allows the use of deadly force without retreating if there is a reasonable belief of imminent danger.
- In defense of the homeowner, Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells praised his decisive action and warned other criminals about how Florida residents are prepared to defend their property with lethal force.
A Florida homeowner shot and killed one of two masked suspects attempting to break into his home.
The incident occurred in Manatee County, West Florida. The suspect, identified as 23-year-old Jorge Nestevan Flores-Toledo, also known as Anibal Miller-Valencia, was shot multiple times by the homeowner and later died at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
His accomplice, 39-year-old Michel Soto-Mella, an illegal immigrant from Chile, was arrested a few blocks away and now faces charges of armed burglary and felony murder. (Related: BURGLARY TOURISM: Chilean gangs entering U.S. under visa waiver program responsible for wave of HOME BURGLARIES.)
Flores-Toledo, a Mexican national with a criminal history, had an active warrant for a parole violation and was considered armed and dangerous. He had previously served four months in jail for residential burglary in Illinois before being released in November. Soto-Mella, meanwhile, had overstayed his 90-day visa, entering the United States from Chile earlier this year.
The events began around 9 p.m. on Dec. 26 when the homeowner’s surveillance system detected motion on the side of his property. Spotting two masked men attempting to break in, the homeowner acted swiftly. He instructed his wife to find a safe place, retrieved his firearm, and confronted the intruders.
Neighbors reported hearing three gunshots, and Flores-Toledo was struck multiple times. Soto-Mella fled the scene but was later apprehended by law enforcement K9 units.
Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells praised the homeowner’s decisive actions, stating, “He knew something bad was about to happen, and he didn’t stall. He grabbed his firearm, told his wife to get into a safe spot.”
Wells also issued a blunt warning to would-be criminals: "This is the state of Florida. If you want to break into someone’s home, you should expect to be shot."
Stand Your Ground law protects homeowners who defend their property
Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law, enacted in 2005, allows individuals to use deadly force in self-defense without the obligation to retreat if they reasonably believe their life is in danger. This law has been a cornerstone of Florida’s approach to self-defense, empowering homeowners to protect their families and property.
The incident highlights the dangers criminals face when targeting homes in states with strong self-defense laws.
Wells emphasized that the homeowner is unlikely to face charges, as his actions appear to fall squarely within the bounds of self-defense. The homeowner’s identity has not been released, and authorities are continuing their investigation into the motives behind the attempted burglary.
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