ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando police arrested two suspects Saturday for the beating and killing of a man who was found along Silver Star Road in Orlando on New Year's Day.
The Orlando Police Department charged Randell Burton, 20, and Dante Thomas, 19, with first-degree murder and robbery with a firearm.
Police identified the victim as Yonel Meus, 36. Meus was found at 4355 Silver Star Road at 3 a.m. Friday with serious injuries.
Police said Burton and Thomas were backing their car into a parking space at the 7-Eleven on Silver Star Road when Meus slapped the back end of the vehicle to alert the driver that he was there.
Detectives said that made the suspects angry. They said Burton was already upset because he was kicked out of downtown club for fighting. Police said he was looking to start a fight.
OPD said Burton and Thomas followed Meus to a nearby intersection and then beat him. Investigators said Burton then pulled out a gun and shot the victim.
Police found Meus seriously injured. He was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where he died from his injuries.
OPD said Burton and Thomas did not know Meus and they had not met prior to the incident at the 7-Eleven.