On the morning of December 1, 2025, Ricardo Rodriguez, 58, was killed in the parking lot of the Summerset Apartments in Melbourne, Florida. Rodriguez went out to his car about 6:00 a.m. and was approached by a transient identified as 39-year-old Dylan Marlow, who was reportedly acting erratically and shouting. Rodriguez retreated briefly, then returned and was confronted again. A physical struggle followed; Rodriguez, who was legally armed, fired and wounded Marlow, but the assailant overpowered him, took the firearm and used it to shoot Rodriguez.

Officers already nearby heard the shots and found both men on the ground. Rodriguez was pronounced dead at the scene; Marlow was taken to a hospital and, after release, arrested and booked in Brevard County on charges including second-degree murder, burglary to an occupied conveyance, and petit theft. Detectives described the encounter as random and isolated. Rodriguez was born in Marlborough, Massachusetts, enjoyed fishing and the New England Patriots, and is survived by a long-time girlfriend and several siblings.

Does anyone have information about activity in the Summerset Apartments parking area that morning?