Henry Rorro Fernandez Soto, a 24-year-old resident of Lakeland, Florida, tragically lost his life on January 8, 2020. The incident occurred at 1735 Oakland Road East in Lakeland, where Fernandez Soto was shot in the chest. According to reports, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call at 7:11 p.m. regarding the shooting. Upon arrival, deputies found Fernandez Soto behind a residence with a gunshot wound.
He was immediately transported to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries at 5:34 a.m. the following morning.
The investigation revealed that Fernandez Soto had gone to the location with his girlfriend to pick up horse-riding equipment from Celso Omar Sanchez-Acosta, also known as "Coqui." While Fernandez Soto's girlfriend waited in the car, she heard gunshots and saw Sanchez-Acosta chasing Fernandez Soto while pointing a gun at him. It was later disclosed that the two men had an ongoing dispute over the alleged theft of a horse. Fernandez Soto had reportedly received verbal threats from Sanchez-Acosta, who had mentioned a rifle during their altercations.
In the aftermath of the shooting, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office identified Sanchez-Acosta as the primary suspect and issued a warrant for his arrest on charges of first-degree murder. Sanchez-Acosta, a 29-year-old man from Lakeland, was believed to be driving a white 1999 Ford F250 with Florida license plate LBFN70. Authorities described him as armed and dangerous, urging anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact law enforcement or Crime Stoppers.
The case drew significant attention due to the nature of the dispute and the violent outcome. Sheriff Grady Judd emphasized the importance of apprehending Sanchez-Acosta swiftly to prevent further harm. Despite the efforts of law enforcement, the search for Sanchez-Acosta continued, with the community being asked to remain vigilant and report any sightings or information that could lead to his capture. The tragic death of Henry Rorro Fernandez Soto highlighted the devastating consequences of unresolved conflicts and the urgent need for justice in such cases.
