In the quiet, early morning hours of February 16, 2026, the life of 29-year-old Mario Jose Romero Alonzo was tragically cut short in what authorities have described as a devastating case of mistaken identity. Having just moved to Fort Pierce, Florida, from Jacksonville only three days prior, Alonzo was settling into his brother's home on Oleander Avenue.
It was there, while he was resting on a couch, that violence unexpectedly shattered the peace of the night.
The events leading to Alonzo's death reportedly began with a workplace dispute. Authorities have stated that 17-year-old Antony Ramos, who had recently been let go from a construction job, had gone to the residence with the intention of confronting Alonzo's brother, a former coworker. Accompanied by an 18-year-old friend, Ramos allegedly entered the unlocked home shortly before 12:45 a.m. looking to "settle a score". When he could not find his intended target, Ramos is accused of turning his weapon on the sleeping Mario Alonzo instead.
In the aftermath of the fatal shooting, the 18-year-old who was with Ramos called 911 around 1:35 a.m. to turn himself in, reportedly "freaking out" over what had occurred; he is not currently facing charges. Investigators later tracked down and arrested Antony Ramos, charging him with homicide and tampering with evidence. His 20-year-old cousin, Florencio Ramos, was also taken into custody and faces a charge of accessory after the fact for allegedly helping the suspect attempt to flee. A 9mm handgun, believed to be the weapon used in the shooting, was recovered by police in a wooded area near the scene.
The community has been left in shock and sorrow by the senseless act that took the life of an innocent man. For Alonzo's family, the grief was compounded by another tragedy. His brother, Miguel Romero, shared that their mother passed away in Honduras just one day after Mario's murder. A fundraising effort was initiated to help cover the funeral expenses and the cost of sending his body back to Honduras for burial.
