A 21-year-old Arcadia man is in custody tonight after allegedly luring a victim to a meeting spot and shooting him to death with a 9mm handgun Monday evening.
DeSoto County Sheriff’s deputies responded just before 7:00 p.m. to the area of SW Stroud Street in Arcadia after reports of gunfire. Upon arrival, they found one adult male deceased from apparent gunshot wounds.
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According to investigators, the suspect — identified as Joel Elias Herrera-Godinez — had called the victim earlier and asked him to meet outside. Once the victim arrived, Herrera-Godinez allegedly opened fire with a 9mm handgun and fled the scene in a vehicle.
Detective Sgt. Bailey and Detective Calvet took over the investigation and, working with patrol deputies, were able to identify both the suspect and his vehicle within hours. Deputies later located Herrera-Godinez at his father’s residence, where he was taken into custody without incident.
Herrera-Godinez has been charged with Murder (F.S.S. 782.04(4)), a capital felony. He was booked into the DeSoto County Jail.
“This was a rapid and professional response by our deputies and detectives,” said Sheriff James F. Potter. “Their quick work ensured a dangerous individual was removed from our community in a matter of hours.”
Authorities described the shooting as an isolated incident between individuals who were known to each other and stressed there is no ongoing threat to the public.
The name of the deceased victim is being withheld pending notification of next-of-kin. The investigation remains active, and additional details will be released when appropriate.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Bureau.