Florida sheriff says attackers should “expect to be shot” after releasing information about home owner shot two masked men he tried to break into his house and killed another.
The deceased suspect was 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 an illegal immigrant from Chile, is charged with aggravated robbery, with additional charges pending, according to the sheriff's office.
Shortly after 9 p.m. Thursday, a Manatee County homeowner saw the two men enter the back of his home through his video surveillance system, according to authorities.
Michel Soto-Mella is 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 going to happen and he didn't hesitate,” MCSO Sheriff Rick Wells said during a press conference Friday. “He he took his gun (and) he told his wife to go to a safe place.
The homeowner fired multiple shots, hitting Flores-Toledo “several 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 clearly heard three shots.”
Jorge Nestevan Flores-Toledo, also known as Anibal Miller-Valencia, 23 years old, from Mexico, was killed in the incident.
Authorities said Flores-Toledo was listed in critical condition before being taken to Sarasota Memorial Hospital, where he died Friday morning.
“This is it in Florida,” Wells said. “If you want to break into someone's house, you should expect to be shot.”
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Deputies found Soto-Mella, who was in the country illegally after her 90-day visa expired in September, using. parts of k9 and caught him a few blocks away, according to the sheriff's office. The area was secured and all involved were accounted for, with no danger to the public.
Police are currently investigating Flores-Toledo's background and “want to understand” why he and Soto-Mella targeted the home, according to a statement released by the sheriff's office Friday afternoon.
A Manatee County man shot two would-be home invaders Thursday night.
“We're trying to find everything we can on the (surviving) suspect,” Wells said. “He's cooperative, but he's not telling us everything.”
At the court hearing, Fox 13 reported that Soto-Mella used an interpreter to tell the judge that he had no guns.
Manatee County homicide detectives say they believe there may be other people involved in the crime.
Flores-Toledo, who also goes by the name Anibal Miller-Valencia, was arrested in Oak Brook, Illinois in 2023 and spent four months in prison for residential burglary before being released on parole in November , according to officials. 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 faces any charges. His identity has not been released, as of Friday night.
Fox 13 Tampa BayChuck Merlis and Ryan Burkett contributed to this story.