Police have accused a landlord of killing his tenant during an altercation that took place over a thermostat dispute.
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Per a report by WSVN, The incident took place on Saturday morning in a neighborhood in Southwest Miami. According to an arrest report, landlord Adam Anson, 35, walked to his tenant's apartment to adjust the thermostat. Anson was armed with a semi-automatic pistol. Deputies from the Miami-Wade Sheriff's Office allege that Anson knocked on the window before forcing himself into the efficiency.
Once inside, Anson began punching the tenant, Carlos Gonzalez, 57, in an unprovoked attack. Deputies report that Anson dragged Gonzalez from the apartment outside and then unloaded multiple shots into his head.
After shooting Gonzalez, Anson allegedly returned to the apartment and adjusted the thermostat. The landlord then dialed 911. Emergency services arrived at the scene and rushed Gonzalez to the nearby Kendall Hospital, but he did not survive.
Locals And The Community Are 'On Edge' After The Killing
A neighbor, Leyani Perez, says she heard a "boom, boom, boom. Like three big noises. I wasn't sure if it was a gunshot, but I was sure something wrong was happening." Perez also noted that incidents like this are not common in the area. "I was frightened, you know? I was scared that I was in danger," she added.
WSVN explains that Adam Anson was taken into custody shortly after the incident. Police arrested him for multiple charges, including second-degree murder. There is no clear motive, and the Sheriff's Office has not released details. However, CBS News reports that according to the arrest report, Anson said Gonzalez tried to hit him. He allegedly drew his gun and claims his actions were in 'self-defense.'
In an updated report from CBS, Anson has reportedly pleaded 'not guilty' to the second-degree murder charge of Carlos Gonzalez. The outlet also explains that this isn't Anson's first offense. The landlord is currently facing charges of battery and resisting an officer without violence from 2023. Anson is accused of kissing and touching a woman inappropriately in that case and has also filed a nonguilty plea. Authorities have scheduled his court hearing for February 18.
