A Florida man has been arrested for the fatal shooting of his estranged girlfriend in Haines City on Sunday morning.
Haines City Police said officers responded to several call about the shooting just before 11 a.m. and found the 29-year-old victim with multiple gunshot wounds. The victim made one of the 911 calls and identfied her killer as Rolando Guevara Zarate, the father of her children and estranged boyfriend.
Witnesses provided a description of Zarate’s burgundy Ford Mustang, and police issued an alert about the vehicle while officers on scene tried unsuccessfully to save the victim’s life. She was pronounced dead shortly after noon at a local hospital.
About 20 minutes later, Winter Haven police spotted a burgundy Ford Mustang and stopped it, but the driver fled on foot. Police quickly caught up to him, however, and seized the Mustang, which had a rifle inside.
“This is a tragic and needless loss of life! Our hearts go out to the victim’s family and loved ones,” said Chief Greg Goreck.
Haines City police said that Zarate has confessed to murder, saying he feared the victim was going to take the couple’s children from him. He admitted that he disposed of the weapon he used in the murder while driving away, and police have recovered that firearm.
Zarate has previously been charged with domestic battery, durg possession, DUI, violation of injunction, and traffic charges.
This time, he’s charged with first degree murder, aggravated stalking, violation of a protective order, discharging a firearm in public, tampering with evidence, and unlawful use of a two-way communications device
