19-year-old shot to death at Orlando apartment complex, police say

Shooting investigated at Venetian Place Apartments on Commander Drive

ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando police are investigating a shooting at an apartment complex that left a 19-year-old man dead.

Investigators said they responded to the Venetian Place Apartments on Commander Drive around 7:20 p.m. Thursday and found the man's body outside one of the buildings.

Police later identified the victim as 18-year-old Robert Centeno.

Neighbor Daiylis Cabado said the shots were fired from a car that almost hit her and her young son as it sped through the complex.

"When I opened the door in my house, I heard gunshots. Like three. Consecutively. Like three times," she said.

At first she and other neighbors told News 6 they thought they were firecrackers.

"I went to the bathroom, and I'm laying down with my little son in the bathroom because I got so scared," she said.

"Once I heard people screaming, I figured out they were shots," witness Angel Cancel said.

For a while, Venetian Place Apartments was sealed off to anyone who didn't live there.

News 6 saw investigators checking people's identification before allowing them through the front gates.

Inside the complex, Orlando police detectives combed the parking lot looking for bullet casings. They found bullet holes in the side of one building where people were seen peering through their blinds.

Neighbors said there are a lot of children that play in the complex, and they're lucky they weren't hurt.

Witnesses said the car the shots came from was a black Honda sedan. Police said they are searching for several suspects.

Anyone who has any information on tracking down the gunman is asked to call 911 or Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS.

Stay with News 6 and ClickOrlando.com for updates on this developing story.


About the Authors

Erik Sandoval joined the News 6 team as a reporter in May 2013 and became an Investigator in 2020. During his time at News 6, Erik has covered several major stories, including the 2016 Presidential campaign. He was also one of the first reporters live on the air at the Pulse Nightclub shooting.

Troy Blevins is a Digital Content Editor who has been with Graham Media Group since 2012.

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