Florida Man Arrested After Alleged Murder in Squatter-Occupied Home
In a recent turn of events, a Florida man who had been evading law enforcement following an alleged murder in a home overtaken by squatters has been apprehended. The suspect’s capture unfolded during a routine traffic stop, as documented in police records.
Discovery of the Crime Scene
The incident began when the Miami police responded to an unoccupied residence in the northeast part of the city last Sunday. Inside the home, they tragically found a victim of a fatal shooting identified as Lamont Ferguson, as reported by NBC Miami. Interestingly, the property is owned by a local immigration lawyer, Maria Escandell. However, during her renovation efforts, squatters purportedly entered the premises and established their presence.
Escandell recounted her experience, stating, “Someone broke into the house, they changed the locks and they stayed there like they owned the property. We called the police, we made a report, and the police told us not to do anything, to stay away from the property because they need to investigate.”
The Investigation Unfolds
Over the course of several days, from Sunday to Wednesday, local law enforcement diligently investigated the shooting and searched for the individual responsible. It wasn’t until a routine traffic stop, prompted by an expired license plate, that a breakthrough occurred, as detailed by NBC Miami.
The driver of the vehicle, identified as 45-year-old Larry March, exhibited nervous behavior during the stop. Subsequently, police discovered “cocaine cookies,” a machete, and a firearm in the car.
A Startling Revelation
While in police custody, a woman, March’s girlfriend, came forward with shocking information. She alleged that March had kidnapped her and admitted to being involved in Ferguson’s killing the previous Sunday.
According to the unidentified woman’s account, tensions flared when March discovered her texting other individuals, including a coworker. A state attorney, recounting the allegations in court, stated, “He wants to look through her phone. And then he became agitated after seeing text messages from other people and then he starts attacking her. She’s scared for her life. Pulls out a gun, waves the gun at her direction, says ‘tell me the truth.'”
The girlfriend claimed that she managed to escape from March just hours before his encounter with law enforcement.
Connecting the Dots
The girlfriend further asserted that she had been present in the squatter-occupied home on the day March allegedly shot Ferguson. She recounted that March had fired four to five shots at the victim before they hastily departed from the scene, according to NBC Miami.
The Weapon and Charges
Police conducted a thorough examination of the firearm recovered from March’s vehicle, concluding that it matched the weapon used in the shooting of Ferguson. Consequently, March has been denied bond and faces charges that include kidnapping, battery, drug possession, and second-degree murder.
This incident serves as a reminder of the unexpected twists and turns that can unfold in seemingly routine situations, underscoring the importance of thorough police work and investigative diligence.