HAINES CITY, Fla. – A Haines City man is in custody following the fatal shooting of his estranged girlfriend on Sunday morning.
The incident unfolded around 10:55 am in the parking lot of La Fiesta Mexicana Restaurant on Maxcy Plaza Circle.
Haines City Police responded to a flurry of 911 calls reporting the shooting. The victim, a 29-year-old woman, also managed to call for help, identifying the suspect as Rolando Guevara Zarate, the father of her children and her former boyfriend of at least seven years.
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Upon arrival, officers found the victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds and attempted lifesaving measures. Witnesses provided a description of the suspect’s vehicle, a burgundy Ford Mustang.
A BOLO (Be on the Lookout) alert was issued to nearby agencies while medical personnel tended to the victim.
Around 11:18 am, a Winter Haven police officer spotted a matching vehicle and initiated a traffic stop. However, Zarate fled on foot before being apprehended by officers. A rifle was located inside his seized vehicle.
Despite medical intervention, the victim was pronounced dead shortly after noon. Detectives are processing multiple crime scenes and notifying the victim’s family.
Zarate reportedly confessed to the crime, stating he feared the victim was going to take their children from him. He also admitted to disposing of the murder weapon while fleeing the scene.
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Police have recovered a weapon matching his description. Zarate faces a multitude of charges including first-degree murder, aggravated stalking, and violating an injunction for protection against domestic violence.
Haines City Police Department (HCPD) revealed that Zarate has a documented history of domestic battery with the victim, along with arrests for drug possession (cocaine and methamphetamine), DUI, and other charges.
Anyone with information about this investigation is urged to contact the Haines City Police Department at (863) 421-3636. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Heartland Crime Stoppers at (888) 400-8477.
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