Man charged with fatally shooting ex-girlfriend near Haines City restaurant

HAINES CITY, Fla. (WFLA) — A man has been arrested after fatally shooting his ex-girlfriend near a Haines City restaurant Sunday morning, police said.

Haines city officers said they were called to a shooting near La Fiesta Mexicana restaurant around 10:55 a.m., where a 29-year-old woman was reported shot.

Police said they received several 911 calls, including one from the victim who described the suspect as the father of her children and her ex-boyfriend of seven years, Rolando Guevara Zarate.

Police said they found the woman suffering from multiple gunshot wounds at the scene. Witnesses told police that the suspect was driving a burgundy Ford Mustang. Haines City police officers said they ordered surrounding agencies to “remain on guard” while they provided first aid to the victim. The woman was taken to hospital, where she died.

At 11:18 a.m., a Winter Haven Police Department K-9 officer spotted a vehicle matching the description. With the assistance of the Polk County Sheriff's Office Air Unit, the car was stopped but the suspect fled on foot.

The suspect was eventually apprehended by Winter Haven police. Police said the suspect's vehicle was seized for evidence and they found a rifle inside the car.

“This is a tragic and unnecessary loss of life! Our hearts go out to the victim’s family and loved ones,” said Chief Greg Goreck. “I commend the coordinated efforts of our officers and cooperation with the Winter Haven Police Department and the Polk County Sheriff's Office, which led to the quick arrest of a suspect who we believe committed these heinous acts .”

Police say Zarate confessed to the crime, saying he feared the victim would take his children away from him. He also admitted to throwing away the firearm he used when leaving the scene. A weapon matching this description has since been found.

Haines City police said Zarate had previous charges of domestic violence against the victim, as well as cocaine possession, driving under the influence, methamphetamine possession, violating a restraining order, battery, aggravated battery and several traffic offenses.

Zarate was arrested and is charged with first degree murder, aggravated harassment, violation of a domestic violence injunction, discharging a firearm in public, tampering with or fabricating physical evidence and illegal use of a two-way communications device.

The investigation is ongoing.