On April 12, 2025, law enforcement in West Palm Beach, Florida, found two men unresponsive from gunshot wounds in an open area behind an apartment building. Both victims, Ismael Castro-Merida and Omar Hernandez-Gabriel, were pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities opened a homicide investigation into the double shooting.

Investigators identified a suspect who has told police the victims intended to harm him, alleging they wanted to burn him alive. That claim is part of the inquiry as detectives collect witness statements and forensic evidence to establish what led to the shooting and to determine motive.

If anyone saw activity behind the apartment building on April 12 or has information about either victim, please come forward to assist the investigation.