Emmanuel Antonio Tinoco, a 29-year-old resident of Miami, was tragically killed on May 15, 2022, in Lauderdale Lakes, Florida. Tinoco had driven to the Pacific Point luxury apartments in a 2017 gray Mercedes Benz S550, intending to purchase a Rolex watch. Upon arrival, a woman matching the description of Alexis Lynn Rupert, one of the suspects, approached his car. Shortly after, two men, including Neal Rice, approached the vehicle from either side.
The man on the passenger side opened fire with an AK-47 assault rifle, striking Tinoco five times. Tinoco was found unresponsive in the driver's seat and was pronounced dead at the scene by Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue.
The investigation revealed that Tinoco had been in contact with Rupert through text messages, arranging the purchase of the Rolex watch. Further investigation uncovered that Rupert, who used multiple aliases, was involved in an escort service and had previously known Tinoco. Surveillance footage from a nearby apartment captured the incident, showing the suspects fleeing the scene. Detectives also found fingerprints, a long strand of blond hair, Tinoco’s cellphone, and a handgun in the car, along with a spent shell casing.
Following the murder, Rupert and Rice fled to Austin, Texas. Law enforcement tracked their movements through cellphone records and eventually located them at a hotel in Austin. Both suspects were arrested and extradited to Broward County. Rupert and Rice were charged with first-degree murder and are currently awaiting trial. The case remains under investigation as authorities continue to gather evidence and build their case against the suspects.
