In the quiet neighborhood of Tamarac, Florida, a dispute over rent payments escalated into a tragedy that claimed the life of 66-year-old Vernon Roe. On the evening of May 3, 2026, what began as a verbal argument at a residence on Northwest 74th Terrace, where both Roe and the suspect lived, turned violent. The altercation, which started over rent, resulted in Roe being shot in the torso. He was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition, but succumbed to his injuries days later.
His death has since been ruled a homicide, leaving friends and family to mourn the loss of a man described as bright, vibrant, and loyal.
The investigation into the shooting quickly led to the arrest of 23-year-old Xavier Mojica. Mojica, who also resided at the Tamarac home, was initially charged with attempted murder. However, following Roe's death, the charges were upgraded to second-degree murder. According to the arrest report, the argument over rent precipitated the fatal encounter. Another individual, identified as Freddy Cora, was also present during the dispute and had reportedly armed himself with a knife from the kitchen, although he allegedly did not use it. Mojica claimed that after being pushed to the ground by Roe, he fired his weapon because he was unsure of the intentions of Roe and Cora as they approached him. However, he also admitted that neither man was armed at the moment of the shooting.
As of mid-May 2026, Xavier Mojica was being held at the Broward County Main Jail without bond, awaiting further legal proceedings for the second-degree murder charge. The case highlights a domestic dispute that spiraled into a fatal act of violence. While the suspect has provided a statement to law enforcement, the full details of the events leading up to the shooting are still under investigation. The overview of the case reveals a landlord-tenant disagreement that ended in the tragic death of Vernon Roe, and the subsequent arrest of a young man now facing serious felony charges. The legal process will ultimately determine the full scope of responsibility and the consequences for the actions taken on that fatal evening.
