POMPANO BEACH, Fla. – The Broward Sheriff’s Office has arrested a 34-year-old man who they said killed his roommate earlier this week.
The fatal shooting was reported around 8 a.m. Wednesday at an apartment building near the 1300 block of Northeast Fourth Street in Pompano Beach, just behind Pompano Beach High School.
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According to BSO spokeswoman Gerdy St. Louis, deputies arrived at the scene and made contact with both the suspect, Jeramie Smith, and the victim, 46-year-old Paul Rivera.
Rivera was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
Smith was immediately detained for questioning and a warrant for his arrest was also obtained.
He was then formally arrested and transported to the BSO Main Jail, where he was booked on a second-degree murder charge.
Residents in the area said they were shocked by the news of the shooting.
“This is way, way too close,” Joan Rolenzano, who lives nearby, said.
Neighbors told Local 10 News reporter Hatzel Vela that this is a neighborhood where residents typically help each other out.
“This neighborhood is very quiet,” a woman identified only as Donna said.
Lisa Clark, who also lives in the area, said she had to pick up her granddaughter after her school was placed lockdown.
“We got a phone call from my granddaughter; she was crying hysterical. They had put her in the bathroom,” Clark said.
In fact, the school was on what they call a “secured status” for most of Wednesday morning.
That means no one was allowed in or out of the school.
“I heard them say on the intercom, ‘We’re on lockdown. Everybody shelter in place,’” Donna said.
As of Friday, Smith remained held at the jail without bond.