FORT PIERCE, Fla. (CBS12) — A 37-year-old man was shot and killed after deputies say he entered a St. Lucie County home and attacked a 22-year-old man during a dispute.
The shooting happened around 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Seminole Mobile Home Park.
A person was shot and killed while allegedly trying to enter a home in St. Lucie County Wednesday night, deputies said. (WPEC)
According to St. Lucie County Sheriff Richard R. Del Toro, the two men knew each other and had been involved in a dispute that included verbal arguments and threatening text messages.
Investigators say the suspect, who has yet to be identified, made several threats before showing up at the home.
Deputies say he knocked on the front door and was let inside before a brawl broke out. Investigators say he pushed the 22-year-old homeowner and punched him several times in the stomach.
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“The victim disengaged from the deceased, pulled out a handgun, shot one time, and the threat was over,” Sheriff Del Toro said.
The suspect was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
“It’s not fair, ’cause my son has no father now. He’s five years old, and what am I gonna tell him? We didn’t even get to say goodbye,” said Naomi Pallarez, the girlfriend of the man who died.
The sheriff said the homeowner remained at the home and cooperated with investigators. His girlfriend and sister were also inside the home and provided statements that investigators say corroborate his account.
Deputies recovered the handgun after executing a search warrant at the residence.
No charges have been filed against the homeowner at this time. Investigators are working with the State Attorney’s Office to determine whether the shooting falls under Florida’s stand-your-ground self-defense law.
“Obviously, you have to be in defense of yourself, but at the same time, you have to be in fear for your life anytime you’re gonna use deadly force,” Sheriff Del Toro explained.
Del Toro said investigators are still reviewing evidence, including text messages between the two men.
The sheriff said the suspect had a criminal history, including drug-related and resisting-officer charges, domestic violence-related charges, and three felony convictions. He stressed that the man’s criminal history was not a reason for him to be killed.
The suspect’s name has not been released because investigators have not yet notified his next of kin and they have not released the name of the man who was killed.
“I am very much heartbroken. And now I’m a single mom,” Pallarez said.
The sheriff said there is no known threat to the surrounding community and described the shooting as an isolated incident.
Del Toro urged anyone who receives threats and believes a situation could escalate to contact law enforcement before violence occurs.
“I just wish that we’d gotten involved sooner rather than being reactive and called after the fact,” Del Toro said. “Could’ve had a different outcome.”