A 48-year-old Orlando man has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting deaths of two men in Orange County.
According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, at around 2:05 p.m. on Thursday, July 4, OCSO deputies responded to the 5200 block of Sailfish Street in Orlando in reference to shots being fired. When deputies arrived, they found a male victim who had sustained a gunshot wound.
The victim was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased. He was later identified as 45-year-old Jose Carrasquillo.
Less than 15 minutes after the first shooting occurred, OCSO deputies were dispatched to the 2700 block of Appaloosa Road in Orlando due to reports of another shooting. Upon arrival, deputies found another male victim who had been shot.
The second victim was taken to a local hospital where he died from his injuries. He was later identified as 27-year-old Eduardo Soto.
“Detectives believe these shootings are related,” stated OCSO in a media release on Thursday afternoon. The sheriff’s office added that a suspect, identified as Leandro Correa, has been detained, and there is “no threat to the community.”
On Friday morning, OCSO provided an update on the investigation. According to the sheriff’s office, the motive in both shootings is “related to narcotics.”
No further details were provided by OCSO regarding the shooting incidents or what led investigators to identifying Correa as a suspect.
Correa has been arrested and transported to Orange County Jail, where he is currently being held without bond.
As of 11 a.m. on Friday, July 5, Correa has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the fatal shooting of the first victim, Jose Carrasquillo.
In a statement on Friday, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office advised that Correa will be facing additional charges related to the shooting death of Eduardo Soto. OCSO added that detectives can “take time developing those charges” since Correa is being held at the jail without bond.