Naples man charged in neighbor's death months after firing at what he thought was a bear

NAPLES, Fla. (WINK) — A Naples man has been arrested months after investigators say he fatally shot his neighbor while firing toward what he believed was a bear near his chicken coop.

According to an arrest affidavit filed in Collier County court, 25-year-old Ariel Gonzalez Rodriguez is charged with manslaughter with a firearm, a first-degree felony, in connection with the March 2026 death of his neighbor, Jason Sheffield, a father of four.

The shooting happened overnight between March 26 and March 27 at neighboring properties in the 2700 block of 8th Avenue Southeast in Collier County.

According to the Collier County Sheriff's Office, Gonzalez Rodriguez called 911 at about 8:21 a.m. on March 27 and told dispatchers he believed he had accidentally shot and killed his neighbor. He told investigators he had fired at a noise the night before that he believed was a bear threatening animals near his chicken coop. 

According to the affidavit, Gonzalez Rodriguez's wife told investigators she was awake around midnight when she heard a loud noise near the chicken coop. She said she woke Gonzalez Rodriguez and asked him to check the area because she believed it could have been a wild animal.

Deputies arrived and found Sheffield dead in a wooded area with an apparent gunshot wound. Investigators also said they recovered spent .22-caliber and .30-06 rifle casings from the property.

According to the affidavit, Ariel told detectives he first went outside with a .22-caliber rifle and fired warning shots after hearing noises. He later returned with a .30-06 rifle, telling investigators he continued to hear movement in the adjacent property and believed it was a wild animal.

According to the affidavit, Ariel told investigators he feared he was about to be attacked, and fired one shot towards the direction of the adjacent property.

The next morning, Ariel told detectives he searched his own property but did not observe anything. He then walked over to Jason's property, canvassed the area, and located him lying face down. He then called 911 and remained on the phone until deputies arrived, the affidavit says.

Jason Sheffield's family shared photos with WINK News. In his obituary he was described as having "a natural gift for lifting spirits and encouraging others to believe in themselves."

"Jason was a devoted and loving father to his children, sons Ashton and Grayson, and daughters Carter and Hazel. He cherished his children deeply, sang to them, wrote songs for them, and was never happier than when he was with them," his obituary says.

Investigators said Gonzalez Rodriguez told them he had no dispute with Sheffield. According to the affidavit, the two neighbors had spent time together the evening before the shooting, grilling one of Gonzalez Rodriguez's chickens in Sheffield's backyard.

The District 20 Medical Examiner determined Sheffield died from a gunshot wound to the back and ruled his death a homicide.

According to the arrest affidavit, detectives concluded Gonzalez Rodriguez acted with culpable negligence by firing a high-powered rifle in a residential area toward an unidentified target without confirming what he was shooting at or what was beyond it.

"By intentionally firing a lethal weapon in a residential area and in the direction of a known residence, at an unidentified target during the nighttime hours, or without confirming the target's identity or ensuring the area beyond the target was clear Ariel Gonzalez Rodriguez engaged in conduct that grossly deviated from the standard of care expected of a reasonable person and demonstrated a reckless disregard for the safety of others," investigators said in their conclusion filed in court.

Court records show an arrest warrant was issued charging Gonzalez Rodriguez with manslaughter with a firearm.

The case remains pending in Collier County court.