Heriberto Cintron, 36, was shot and killed at his home at 1001 SW Janette Avenue in Port St. Lucie on February 10, 2015. The shooting occurred in the early morning during a card game in Cintron’s garage that involved drinking and three other men, including his brother-in-law Norberto Cintron Torres and Jose Ramon Nieves Rivera. A neighbor reported hearing gunshots and called 9-1-1; Heriberto was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead at 5:15 a.m.

Police arrested 33-year-old Jose Ramon Nieves Rivera later that day on murder charges. According to the arrest affidavit he said an argument about religion escalated, Torres left the garage and returned, allegedly grabbed Rivera by the ponytail and punched him, and Heriberto then approached Rivera aggressively; Rivera told investigators he fired at least five shots and said he acted in self-defense. The case has centered on whether the killing was justified or criminal.