On May 9, 2024, a tragic incident occurred in Lakeland, Florida, resulting in the death of Hugo Alberto Montero Gomez, a 30-year-old man. The incident took place in an apartment near Lakeside Village, where Gomez resided with his husband, Gavin Miranda.
The events unfolded during an argument between the couple, which escalated into a physical altercation. According to Gavin Miranda's statement to the 9-1-1 operator, Gomez had shoved him against a wall and choked him.
In response, Miranda claimed he went for a gun and shot Gomez multiple times. The arrest affidavit details that Miranda emptied the entire clip into Gomez, resulting in nine gunshot wounds to Gomez's back, one to the back of his leg, and another to his wrist.
When police officers arrived at the apartment on Village Center Drive, they found Gomez lying face down on the floor in the living room. The scene included 14 spent shell casings and a black handgun lying on a bed. The affidavit highlights that the nature of the wounds, with Gomez being shot multiple times while lying face down, indicates that he was defenseless at the time of the shooting.
Gavin Miranda, 27, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. He invoked his right to remain silent and his right to an attorney, declining to answer further questions. Miranda is currently being held without bond in the Polk County Jail.
The investigation and subsequent charges against Miranda are based on the evidence that he stood over Gomez while shooting him, as indicated by the bullet holes through Gomez's body and into the floor. This incident marks a tragic end to a marital dispute that turned fatally violent.
