Rene Esau Lopez Callejas, 28, was shot and killed inside his Mira Verde apartment in Labelle, Florida, on the evening of May 18, 2026. Deputies from the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office responded about 7:45 p.m. after reports of a disturbance. First responders found Callejas unresponsive with a gunshot wound and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

A 27-year-old man, Jose A. Cruz, was standing outside the residence when deputies arrived and surrendered. A subsequent search of the apartment under warrant yielded a firearm later determined to belong to Cruz. Cruz was taken into custody without incident and has been charged with homicide; he is being held without bond while the investigation continues.

The sheriff’s office says a verbal argument between the two men escalated into the fatal confrontation. Few other public details have been released; investigators are examining scene evidence and taking witness statements.

If anyone knew Rene, Jose, or was near Mira Verde that evening, does anyone have information that could help investigators?