Police said surveillance video contradicted the suspect’s initial account of the deadly confrontation at a Hallandale Beach mobile home park.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. — A 27-year-old man has been charged with first-degree murder after police said he chased and fatally stabbed his roommate with a machete at a South Florida mobile home park.
Edy Rivas Rizo was arrested following the Sunday afternoon killing in the 300 block of Sea Esta Lane, according to an arrest report reviewed by news organizations. The victim’s name was redacted from the publicly reported version of the document. Rivas Rizo remained in the Broward County Main Jail without bond as of Monday.
Hallandale Beach police were called to the Sea Esta Mobile Home Park at about 1:15 p.m. after receiving reports of a stabbing. Officers found the victim critically wounded on the ground. Emergency workers transported him to HCA Florida Aventura Hospital, where he was pronounced dead about 30 minutes later, according to police.
Investigators said surveillance video showed Rivas Rizo carrying a large machete-style knife while pursuing the victim through the park. Police said the footage showed Rivas Rizo striking the man before the two struggled on the ground. Two witnesses intervened and were able to take the weapon away, according to the arrest report.
After the confrontation ended, the victim walked about 15 yards before collapsing, police said. A witness told investigators that the wounded man pointed toward Rivas Rizo and said, “That guy just killed me.” The statement was included in the arrest report and was attributed to the witness who remained with the victim.
Police said another witness accompanied Rivas Rizo back toward the mobile home where the suspect, the victim and the witness lived. That witness reported seeing Rivas Rizo leave the residence and chase the victim before later returning with the machete, according to the arrest account.
Officers ordered Rivas Rizo out of the home and took him into custody. Police said he had blood on him and a serious cut on his right hand, which was treated at a hospital. Investigators later obtained a search warrant and reported finding blood inside the home and the machete in a storage area near the back of the residence.
During questioning, Rivas Rizo claimed the victim had confronted him while he was outside drinking beer with two other men, according to police. He alleged that the victim struck him and was armed with a knife. Rivas Rizo initially told investigators that he feared for his life and that the victim accidentally fell onto the machete during the struggle.
Police said Rivas Rizo first denied chasing the victim. After investigators showed him the surveillance footage, however, he acknowledged pursuing the man but claimed that he had intended to hit him with the broad side of the machete rather than its sharpened edge, according to the arrest report.
Authorities charged Rivas Rizo with premeditated first-degree murder. The charge is an allegation, and his guilt has not been established in court. No future court date had been publicly reported as of Tuesday, and police had not released the victim’s identity.