ST. LUCIE COUNTY – The motive for a Feb. 16 shooting that left a 29-year-old man dead appeared to stem from an issue at work between the alleged gunman and the victim’s brother, St. Lucie County Sheriff Richard Del Toro said Feb. 17.
Del Toro said Antony Ramos, 17, was arrested in connection with the homicide of Mario Jose Romero Alonzo, 29, at a home in the 3200 block Oleander Avenue.
Investigators were called to the scene about 12:45 a.m. Feb. 16 following reports of a man who’d been shot.
Meanwhile, about 1:35 a.m., an 18-year-old man called 911 saying he wanted to turn himself in, though that man is not facing charges, Del Toro said.
“He didn’t want any part of it. He’s scared obviously what the consequences could be for something like that,” Del Toro said. “While we were questioning him, learning more about what happened, that’s what led us to identify our suspect in this case.”
Del Toro said Alonzo is thought to have arrived in the area three days earlier from Jacksonville to live with his brother.
Del Toro explained it appears that Alonzo’s brother worked in construction with Antony, who was let go from the company.
“He went there looking for the brother, basically to settle a score from an issue at work where he was let go and, when he couldn’t find him or get access to him, he basically turned the gun on our victim,” Del Toro said.
Antony and the 18-year-old man are believed to have walked to the house on Oleander Avenue, but at some point separated after the shooting.
Del Toro said detectives interviewed Alonzo’s brother.
“That’s why we learned … a little bit about the altercation that took place at work, which we believe is the motive for this,” he said.
Investigators learned Antony had family at a home in the 900 block of Wagner Place, less than a mile from the shooting scene.
Investigators reported a van left the home and detectives followed it believing the accused gunman was inside.
Officials conducted a traffic stop, and reported Florencio Ramos, 20, was the driver. Also in the vehicle was his cousin, Antony.
“We believe they were headed back down to the Miami area, which is where our suspect is originally from,” Del Toro said.
Florencio Ramos was arrested on a charge of being an accessory after the fact.
Del Toro said investigators also recovered a 9mm handgun suspected to have been used in the incident.
Del Toro said the 18-year-old man who called 911 is not facing charges.
“Based on the evidence currently available, there’s no indication that he was aware of Mr. Ramos’ intent to commit the shooting that night or the murder,” he said.
Del Toro said investigators don’t know how Antony got the gun
“Seventeen years old, shouldn’t have a gun no matter what, but as we’ve seen before, the market for firearms is real and it’s something that we work to combat each and every single day,” Del Toro said.
(This story was updated with a video and photo.)
Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on X @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Motive in fatal shooting in Florida appears to stem from work issue
Reporting by Will Greenlee, Treasure Coast Newspapers / Treasure Coast Newspapers
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
