PORT ORANGE, Fla. – A tragic incident unfolded in the Southern Pines neighborhood, located at Elda Lane and Spruce Creek Road, resulting in one individual losing their life and another being taken into custody. Details obtained from court documents and 911 calls shed light on the events of that fateful evening.
According to reports, a distress call was made by a woman seeking help after her ex-boyfriend was shot in Port Orange. The chaotic situation escalated when the deceased, identified as 53-year-old Elmer Panameno Zelaya, arrived at the woman’s residence. Allegedly, he forcibly entered the home where 40-year-old Santiago Hernandez-Castrodad, the suspected shooter, was present.
Witnesses in the neighborhood described hearing a commotion followed by gunfire, indicating a violent altercation had taken place between the two individuals. The tense situation reportedly saw Panameno brandishing a speaker as a weapon and physically assaulting Hernandez before being fatally shot by the latter.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Hernandez claimed to law enforcement that he had exhausted his ammunition during the incident. Subsequently, he was apprehended by police and taken into custody. Charged with second-degree murder, Hernandez made a court appearance where he was denied bond.
The tragic outcome of this altercation serves as a stark reminder of the importance of de-escalation and conflict resolution in potentially volatile situations. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident to determine the sequence of events and any underlying factors that may have contributed to the fatal confrontation. The community mourns the loss of life and hopes for justice to prevail as the legal process unfolds.