The Hialeah police have arrested a second suspect in connection with a violent incident that occurred on February 12, when a santería ritual ended in a shooting that left one person dead and two injured.
The second detainee has been identified as Yasmany Matos González, a 35-year-old Cuban national, who was arrested this Tuesday at Jackson Memorial Hospital.
The authorities were able to identify him thanks to a surveillance video in which, according to investigators, he is seen shooting the victim.
Matos González faces second-degree murder charges and becomes the second defendant in this case.
Details of the crime
According to the police report, the victim, identified only as "Nodar," was participating in the ritual alongside Matos González and the first accused, Milton Cao.
The three men exited the residence located at the intersection of 39th Street West and 10th Court when Matos González opened fire without apparent provocation.
The victim tried to take shelter behind a vehicle, but was hit by gunfire.
A key witness in the investigation is Matos González's teenage son, who stated that he heard a gunshot and then saw "Nodar" enter the house with a bullet wound in his leg.
In an apparent attempt to defend himself, "Nodar" took a knife and began to stab Matos González.
The teenager intervened in the fight and ended up with injuries on his arms.
When the emergency services arrived at the scene, they found Matos González with a wound on the left side of his head and the knife still embedded.
He was immediately transferred to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where he has remained in custody until his formal arrest.
First arrest: Milton Cao
The first suspect arrested was Milton Cao, who was apprehended shortly after the incident.
According to eyewitnesses, Cao shot "Nodar" as he was trying to leave the property, even though the victim was already unarmed.
Cao remains at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center (TGK) without the right to bail and is expected to appear in court in the first week of March.
The police are continuing to gather evidence and testimonies to fully clarify what happened.
Residents in the area have expressed their fear following the violent incident.
“I heard about five or six shots... the man was already dead, with four bullet wounds in the chest,” said Luis Andrey, a resident of a house directly across from the shooting site, in statements to Telemundo 51.
According to public information, Matos González has reportedly been arrested several times before, although details about those previous incidents have not been disclosed.
The case is still under investigation as authorities seek to clarify the details of the crime.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Santería Ritual Incident in Hialeah
What happened during the Santería ritual that resulted in a shooting in Hialeah?
On February 12th, during a santería ritual in Hialeah, a shooting left one person dead and two others injured. Yasmany Matos González was arrested after being identified in a surveillance video as the person responsible for shooting the victim. Milton Cao, the other suspect, was also arrested shortly after the incident.
Who are the main suspects in the santería case in Hialeah?
The main suspects are Yasmany Matos González and Milton Cao. Matos González was arrested at Jackson Memorial Hospital and is facing second-degree murder charges. Cao was arrested shortly after the incident and is also being held without bail.
What motivated the shooting during the santería ritual?
According to reports, the shooting occurred without any apparent provocation. Matos González opened fire on the victim, who attempted to take cover behind a vehicle but was hit by the gunfire. The situation escalated when the victim tried to defend themselves with a knife, resulting in more injuries.
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