West Palm Beach, Florida – A tragic incident unfolded last month in West Palm Beach, Florida, resulting in the death of one man and the arrest of another on a murder charge. Manuel Orozco, 51, of Greenacres, is facing allegations of second-degree murder in connection with the death of 54-year-old Iosvani Casonova Moreno, following a violent altercation outside a community grocery store on Lake Avenue.
On the night of Feb. 29, police responded to the scene and found Moreno lying in a bank parking lot near the Southdale Shopping Center, with what appeared to be a stab wound to his chest. Despite the efforts of West Palm Beach Fire Rescue medics, Moreno was pronounced dead at the scene.
Witnesses described a series of events leading up to the tragic outcome, including Orozco and Moreno drinking beer and engaging in separate altercations outside the grocery store. A surveillance video from the store captured the moments where Orozco and Moreno were involved in physical altercations, ultimately leading to the fatal stabbing.
Following the incident, Orozco was arrested and brought before Circuit Judge Donald Hafele, who assigned him a public defender and ordered him to be held without bail. Hafele also issued a no-contact order, prohibiting Orozco from communicating with Moreno’s family or any witnesses involved in the case.
In the days following the altercation, investigators obtained a warrant to collect DNA from Orozco, who chose not to provide a statement regarding the events of that fateful night. The case has left the community in shock and mourning, as they grapple with the tragic loss of Moreno and the circumstances surrounding his death.
As the investigation into the incident continues, authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward and assist in bringing justice to the victim and his family. The details of the case serve as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of violence and the importance of conflict resolution in our communities.