Alberto Padron Rodriguez, a 32-year-old Hispanic man, died on July 13, 2019, in Miami after being shot during a dispute at an apartment gathering. The party was at the home of 33-year-old Mario Carlos Ortiz-Esquijaroza.

Ortiz-Esquijaroza testified that he forced Rodriguez out of the apartment, but Rodriguez returned, threatened him and tried to break down the door. Ortiz-Esquijaroza said he shot through the door and then followed Rodriguez into the hallway; police reported Rodriguez was first shot in the leg and then fatally shot in the lower back as he tried to flee. Ortiz-Esquijaroza was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder and has sought dismissal under Florida’s Stand Your Ground law; the judge’s ruling on that motion was pending.

The shooting has deeply affected Rodriguez’s family and friends and sparked divided opinion in the community. If anyone witnessed the events at the apartment or has additional information, please share what is known.