Man faces homicide charge following deadly argument in Mira Verde community in Hendry County

HENDRY COUNTY, Fla. —

An arrest was made after deputies said a verbal altercation turned deadly Monday evening in the Mira Verde community in Port LaBelle.

Hendry County deputies responded to the apartment of Rene Esau Lopez Callejas, 28, at approximately 7:45 p.m. According to the Hendry County Sheriff's Office report, Callejas was lying on the floor in the hallway with a gunshot wound to the area of his head and neck.

Emergency Medical Service crews arrived at the scene, and Callejas was pronounced dead. Deputies said the suspect, Jose Armando Cruz, 27, was found standing outside the apartment, and he immediately surrendered to law enforcement.

According to HCSO, deputies learned the two men got into a verbal altercation leading up to Callejas's death.

Hendry County detectives obtained a search warrant for the residence and recovered a firearm that belonged to Cruz, the sheriff's office said.

Cruz is facing a homicide charge and was taken to the Hendry County Jail. He is currently being held with no bond.

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