On the evening of June 13, 2020, Jose Santos Parra Juarez, a 26-year-old Hispanic male, was at Epoca Cantina, a restaurant in downtown Omaha, Nebraska, celebrating a friend's birthday with his girlfriend, Sharon Miranda. The festive atmosphere took a dark turn when they were confronted by Sharon's estranged husband, 28-year-old Marlon Miranda Jr. Fueled by what was described as a jealous rage, Marlon Miranda Jr.
initiated a physical altercation with Parra Juarez.
The conflict spilled out of the restaurant, and near the corner of 12th and Davenport streets, Marlon Miranda Jr. shot Jose Santos Parra Juarez multiple times at point-blank range. After shooting Parra Juarez, Miranda Jr. turned his aggression towards his estranged wife, grabbing her by the hair and attacking her. The violent scene was interrupted by an off-duty Bellevue police officer, Sgt. John Stuck, who was working security in the area. After Stuck identified himself, Miranda Jr. did not drop his weapon, prompting the officer to fire, striking him twice and likely saving Sharon Miranda's life.
Marlon Miranda Jr. was subsequently arrested and charged with first-degree murder and use of a firearm to commit a felony. In December 2021, a jury found him guilty of these charges after deliberating for less than an hour. His defense attorney's claim that he acted in self-defense during a quarrel was rejected by the prosecution. On March 3, 2022, Marlon Miranda Jr. was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Jose Santos Parra Juarez, with an additional 45 to 50 years for the firearms conviction.
