A homeless man is being charged with second degree murder after he beat a 62-year-old man to death on Colonial Drive.
Mark Kevin Sholler, 57, was arrested on Tuesday, April 18, by Orlando Police Department officers in connection with the homicide of Jose Riojas.
Officers responded to the 3000 block of West Colonial Drive at around 3:20 a.m. on Tuesday after receiving calls regarding a battery in progress.
Upon arrival, police made contact with two men who had been involved in a physical altercation. The victim, Riojas, was found unconscious, with Sholler standing nearby and claiming responsibility.
Orlando Fire Department units responded to the scene and declared Riojas deceased.
This week, OPD homicide detectives took over the investigation and were able to take the suspect into custody for the homicide. According to authorities, Riojas and Sholler, who are both homeless individuals, had become involved in an altercation. The altercation escalated, and the suspect confessed to beating the victim to death.
Sholler is currently being held at the Orange County Jail. He faces a charge of second degree murder and a sex offender violation.