A Manatee County, Florida homeowner fatally shot one suspect and held another at gunpoint during an attempted home invasion Thursday night. Sheriff Rick Wells commended the homeowner's swift action, emphasizing Florida's stand-your-ground laws.
The deceased suspect has been identified as 23-year-old Jorge Nestevan Flores-Toledo, originally from Mexico. The second suspect, 39-year-old Michel Soto-Mella, a Chilean national whose visa expired in September, faces charges of armed burglary, with additional charges anticipated.
The homeowner, alerted by his surveillance system, witnessed the two masked men attempting to enter his home. He instructed his wife to seek safety and confronted the intruders, firing multiple shots and fatally wounding Flores-Toledo. Soto-Mella initially escaped but was apprehended shortly thereafter by K9 units a few blocks from the scene.
Sheriff Wells stated that Soto-Mella is cooperating with authorities but withholding some information. Investigators believe other individuals might be involved and are actively pursuing leads. They are also working to ascertain the suspects' motive for targeting the specific residence.
Flores-Toledo, also known as Anibal Miller-Valencia, had a prior record, including a 2023 arrest and four-month jail sentence in Illinois for residential burglary. He was out on parole with an active warrant for a parole violation and was considered armed and dangerous.
The homeowner's identity remains undisclosed, and it's unclear whether he will face any charges. Sheriff Wells strongly defended the homeowner's actions, stating that individuals attempting home invasions in Florida should "expect to be shot."
