ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A 24-year-old man has been arrested after investigators linked him to a March shooting in Orlando’s MetroWest area that killed one man and left another with serious injuries, the Orlando Police Department said.
Police said officers were called to 5572 MetroWest Blvd. on March 4 after a shooting involving three men identified as Alan Vernon Florvilus, Roderick Barron and Howard Bennett.
Background on what happened
According to detectives, Barron and Bennett had gotten into an argument the night before the gunfire. During that confrontation, Bennett allegedly threatened to shoot Barron and reached out to Florvilus, asking him to come to the scene.
The dispute carried into the following morning, when Barron and Bennett crossed paths again in a parking lot and resumed arguing, police said.
Investigators said Bennett tried to draw a firearm, but before he could shoot, Barron pulled out his own gun and fired, fatally striking Bennett.
As the confrontation unfolded, Florvilus allegedly got a rifle-style firearm from an apartment and shot at Barron, causing serious injuries. Detectives said Florvilus then ran from the area.
Barron survived the shooting and later gave detectives a statement that investigators said matched physical evidence as well as accounts from other witnesses.
Detectives said Bennett’s death was ruled a justifiable homicide, and Barron was not charged in connection with that shooting.
Florvilus arrested in Tampa
Homicide detectives identified Florvilus as the person who shot Barron. On Aug. 13, detectives submitted an arrest warrant charging him with attempted first-degree murder.
Florvilus was arrested on Tuesday in Tampa by the U.S. Marshals Service Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force, Tampa Division.
He faces a charge of attempted first-degree murder stemming from the March shooting.
The investigation remains active and ongoing. Police said no further information is available at this time.
