Defendant’s brother testifies in Immokalee deadly shooting trial, admits he fired shots

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. —

The older brother of Malachi Montelongo took the stand Wednesday, admitting he fired multiple shots into a car during the deadly 2019 shooting in Immokalee.

Jesus Montelongo testified as a state witness as part of a plea agreement. He is currently incarcerated and told jurors he accepted a 15-year prison sentence, including a 10-year mandatory minimum, in exchange for testifying truthfully instead of facing a possible life sentence.

Montelongo said he was riding with his younger brother and three other people in a red Altima the day of the shooting. He testified the events began after Malachi became upset over a marijuana deal he said had not been paid for.

Events before the shooting

Jesus testified that earlier in the day, everyone had been together at his home. Malachi left briefly and returned about 15 minutes later, visibly upset.

He said Malachi did not explain what happened, but told him, “She got me,” referring to one of the women who testified Tuesday that she went to buy marijuana from Malachi.

Shortly after, they drove to Farm Workers Village, where Jesus said they saw a silver Chrysler.

Jesus testified he was sitting in the back seat with Malachi.

He told jurors he had a Glock handgun with him and did not see Malachi holding a gun. However, he said Malachi was carrying a drawstring bag about two-and-a-half feet long that he believed contained a folding rifle.

The shooting

When the vehicles stopped, Jesus testified he got out on the driver’s side while Malachi exited on the passenger side.

Jesus said he began shooting at the silver Chrysler as it drove past.

He testified he aimed toward the driver’s side of the car and fired “a lot” of rounds, because he saw the window roll down and "assumed the worst."

Jesus said he did not see Malachi shooting because Malachi was on the other side of the vehicle. He also said he did not recall seeing anyone fire from inside the Chrysler.

One of the three women inside the car, Adriana Arredondo, was shot and later died. She was a 33-year-old mother of six.

After the shooting

Jesus testified they drove away and traveled through a trailer park, where he told Malachi to get out of the car. He later picked him up and said Malachi no longer had the bag allegedly containing the rifle.

Jesus told jurors they returned home, grabbed two other guns and hid them under a trailer. He said Malachi told him he had hidden the rifle somewhere else.

At the house

Jesus testified he went inside and showered, then began smoking because he was in shock after shooting at someone.

When deputies arrived, he said he took 10 Xanax pills and handed some out to others, telling jurors he wanted to be “messed up” if he was going to jail.

He said he normally takes Xanax and had taken some earlier that day, but was thinking clearly before the shooting.

Plea deal and prior statements

He told jurors he accepted a plea deal for 15 years in prison to avoid a possible life sentence and does not want to testify against his brother, saying, “That’s my brother.”

Defense attorneys questioned his credibility and pointed to previous statements that differed from his testimony in court.

Sheriff’s Office report details alleged confession

In the original 2019 report from the Collier County Sheriff's Office, deputies wrote that Malachi Montelongo admitted to firing multiple rounds into the silver Chrysler the night of the shooting.

According to the report, Malachi provided details investigators said matched physical evidence at the scene.

The report also states Malachi implicated his older brother as an active shooter during the incident.

The trial continues Thursday.

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