Florida homeowner shoots 2, kills 1 in alleged home invasion

A Florida sheriff said trespassers should “expect to be shot” after revealing information about a homeowner who He opened fire on two masked men trying to break into his house, killing one.

The deceased suspect was identified as Jorge Nestevan Flores-Toledo, 27, of Mexico, according to Fox 13.

The second suspect, Michel Soto-Mella, 39, a illegal immigrant of Chile, is charged with armed robbery and has additional charges pending, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.

Shortly after 9 p.m. Thursday, a Manatee County homeowner saw the two men entering the back of his home on 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 about to happen and he didn’t stop,” MCSO Sheriff Rick Wells said during a news conference Friday. “He grabbed his firearm (and) told his wife to go somewhere safe.”

The homeowner fired multiple bullets, hitting Flores-Toledo “several times,” as 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 relative in the neighborhood, told Fox 13. “I vividly heard three gunshots.”

Jorge Nestevan Flores-Toledo, also known as Aníbal Miller-Valencia, 27, of Mexico, died in the shooting, according to Fox 13.

Authorities said Flores-Toledo was initially reported to be in critical condition before being transported to Sarasota Memorial Hospital, where he died Friday morning.

“This is the state of Florida”, Wells said. “If you want to break into someone’s house, you should expect to be shot.”

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Agents located Soto-Mella, who was in the country illegally after his 90-day visa expired in September, using k9 units and arrested him a few blocks away, according to the sheriff’s office. The scene was secured and everyone involved was accounted for, posing no threat to the community.

Detectives 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 by the sheriff’s office Friday afternoon.

A Manatee County man opened fire on two would-be home invaders Thursday night.

“We’re trying to get everything we can from the (surviving) suspect,” Wells said. “He’s being somewhat cooperative, but he’s not telling us everything.”

At a court hearing, Fox 13 reported that Soto-Mella used a translator to tell the judge 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 Aníbal Miller-Valencia, was arrested in Oak Brook, Illinois in 2023 and served four months in jail for residential burglary before being released on parole in November, according to authorities. He had an active arrest warrant for violation of probation 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 owner faces any charges. His identity had not been revealed as of Friday night.

Fox 13 Tampa BayChuck Merlis and Ryan Burkett contributed to this story.