ORLANDO, Fla. — A 24-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a March shooting in Orlando’s MetroWest area that left one man dead and another seriously injured, according to the Orlando Police Department.
Orlando police identified the suspect as Alan Vernon Florvilus, who was apprehended Aug. 18 in Tampa by the U.S. Marshals Service Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force. He faces a charge of attempted first-degree murder.
The case stems from a March 4 shooting at 5572 MetroWest Boulevard involving Florvilus, Roderick Barron and Howard Bennett.
According to Orlando police, Barron and Bennett had argued the night before the shooting. Investigators said Bennett threatened to shoot Barron and contacted Florvilus, asking him to come to the location.
Police said Barron and Bennett encountered one another again in a parking lot the following morning and resumed their argument. Investigators determined that Bennett attempted to draw a firearm on Barron. Barron drew his own weapon and shot Bennett before Bennett could fire, according to police. Bennett died.
During the confrontation, investigators allege Florvilus retrieved a rifle-style firearm from an apartment and opened fire on Barron, seriously wounding him before fleeing the scene.
Barron survived and later provided detectives with his account of the shooting. Police said his statement was consistent with physical evidence collected during the investigation and information provided by other witnesses.
Following a review of the evidence, authorities determined Bennett’s death was a justifiable homicide, according to Orlando police. Barron was not charged in connection with Bennett’s death.
Homicide detectives subsequently identified Florvilus as the person accused of shooting Barron. Detectives submitted an arrest warrant Aug. 13 charging him with attempted first-degree murder.
Five days later, Florvilus was apprehended in Tampa by the U.S. Marshals Service Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force, Tampa Division.
An attempted first-degree murder charge is an accusation. Florvilus is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Orlando police said the investigation remains active and ongoing.
