A domestic dispute turned violent on Sunday, December 29, 2024, when a man broke into a home on Tennessee Street, shooting another man multiple times before injuring himself and fleeing the scene.
At approximately 5:45 p.m., a homeowner called 911 to report a shooting at their residence. Officers arrived to find a 42-year-old Hispanic male inside the home with gunshot wounds to his hand, chest, shoulder, and a graze wound to his head. Officers administered lifesaving aid until the victim was transported to a local hospital, where he remains in serious condition but is expected to recover.
The suspect, identified as 40-year-old Honduran national Jervin Omar Mendieta-Romero, allegedly broke into the home through a back window after being refused entry at the front door. Inside, he confronted his former domestic partner of over 20 years and her new boyfriend. A verbal altercation escalated when Romero pulled out a firearm and shot the male victim multiple times.
During the shooting, Romero accidentally shot off his own ring finger, causing him to drop the weapon and flee the scene on foot, leaving his vehicle behind.
Officers from the Haines City Police Department, Lake Alfred Police Department, and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office established a perimeter. With the assistance of Polk County Sheriff K-9 Reno and Deputy Sheriff Giles, Romero was apprehended within a mile of the residence, hiding in a wooded area.
Romero has been charged with the following offenses:
- Attempted first-degree murder
- Armed burglary with assault or battery
- Written threats to kill or injure
- Unlawful use of a two-way communication device
- Resisting an officer without violence
Authorities revealed that Romero, who is in the country illegally, had been trespassed from the victim’s residence by police on November 27, 2024, after being warned not to return. Despite this, Romero had been sending threats, including a picture of himself holding a firearm, to his ex-domestic partner in the months leading up to the incident.
Police Chief Greg Goreck emphasized the importance of reporting threats, especially in domestic situations. “Reporting threats is crucial to preventing violence and saving lives. We urge everyone to take threats seriously and to trust that by coming forward, you’re helping protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community.”
The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
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