Edwin Anthony Mercado, a security guard, was shot and killed on May 9, 2014, at the Las Princesas nightclub on West Colonial Drive in Winter Garden, Florida. The shooter was another security guard, Miguel Angel Santos-Rivera. The two men worked for different security companies and had a history of disagreements that evening escalated into a heated argument.

Police reports say Mercado initially drew his handgun and aimed it at Santos-Rivera but then returned it to his holster. Witnesses reported Santos-Rivera removed his gun belt, attempted to engage in a physical fight, and ultimately pulled out his firearm and shot Mercado in the chest. Mercado was taken to Health Central Hospital and pronounced dead. Santos-Rivera was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and confessed to the shooting; witness testimony about the confrontation was also part of the case.

Mercado’s family described him as a caring husband and father whose death left a profound void.