Florida
Honduran man shoots off own finger during murder attempt, Florida police say
HAINES CITY, Fla. – A Honduran man shot off his own finger during a murder attempt over the weekend, according to the Haines City Police Department.
In a release, police said that the incident happened on Sunday around 5:45 p.m. near Tennessee Street within city limits.
At the time, dispatchers received a 911 call from a local homeowner who claimed that someone had been shot at his/her property.
As a result, officers responded to the home, where they found a 42-year-old man who had suffered several gunshot wounds to his upper torso, the release shows. He was taken to the hospital with serious injuries, though he’s expected to recover.
However, police announced on Monday that the investigation points toward 40-year-old Jervin Romero as the shooting suspect.
According to investigators, Romero and his former partner of over 20 years had been going through a “difficult separation,” and during the separation, Romero had been sending messages to her that threatened “violence and death.”
[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos]
And on Sunday, Romero informed the ex-partner that he was coming to her home, investigators added.
Police said Romero knocked on the front door that evening, but after the occupants refused to answer the door, he instead walked behind the house, removed a screen and came in through a window.
“Once inside, Mendieta Romero confronted the residents inside, his ex-domestic partner and her new boyfriend,” the release reads. “A verbal altercation ensued between Mendieta Romero and his ex-partner’s new boyfriend, at which point Mendieta Romero pulled out a firearm and shot the male victim multiple times.”
In all, police explained that Romero had shot the boyfriend five times, striking his hand, chest, shoulder and grazing his head. But while doing so, Romero managed to shoot off his own ring finger, police added.
“This caused (Romero) to drop the firearm and flee the residence on foot, leaving his vehicle behind,” the release continues.
Law enforcement officers were ultimately able to find and capture Romero behind some trees within a mile of where the shooting happened, and he was taken into custody, according to the police department.
Now, Romero faces charges of attempted first-degree murder, armed burglary with assault or battery, written threats to kill or injure, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, and resisting an officer without violence.
In addition, police said they discovered that Romero was a Honduran national who is in the country illegally, and he’d already been trespassed from the property back in November and told not to return.
Detectives also noted that there were no documented reports to police about the threats made by Romero toward his ex-partner and her boyfriend.
“Reporting threats, especially in domestic situations, is crucial to preventing violence and saving lives. Often, the warning signs are there, but they go unreported out of fear, denial, or uncertainty,” Police Chief Greg Goreck stated. “We urge everyone to take threats seriously and to trust that by coming forward, you’re helping protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community. We are very grateful that this situation wasn’t worse and that everyone is going to be OK. This is a reminder of how important it is to act quickly and decisively to prevent potential tragedies.”
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily:
Copyright 2024 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.
The finish line is right around the corner for the sweepstakes to land Lane Kiffin.
More News: Alabama Tries Coaching Shakeup Before Auburn Game
Florida dropped out of the marathon early. Reports surfaced on Friday that Kiffin pulled out of consideration for the Gators job. He’s set to choose between LSU and Ole Miss on Saturday.
Kiffin had been Florida’s top target after Billy Napier was fired on Oct. 19. However, communication broke down between Kiffin and the Gators in recent days.
More News: Oregon Coach a ‘Prime’ Candidate for Newly Opened College Football Job
Florida has a couple of backup options for Kiffin. Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key is someone to keep an eye on.
On Saturday, the big name for Florida is Jon Sumrall. The Tulane head coach had been linked to Auburn for weeks, but he appears to be out of consideration for the job with the Tigers.
Multiple reports indicate that Sumrall is the top option for Florida.
Sumrall has gone 41-11 during his stints at Troy and Tulane. His resume is similar to that of Napier when Florida hired him in 2021 after going 40-12 at Louisiana.
Florida fans on social media appeared upset with athletic director Scott Stricklin for fumbling the bag on Kiffin and then considering hiring a Group of 5 coach as Napier’s replacement. Some want Stricklin to be fired before he can hire Sumrall.
“Good morning, Gator Nation It is a great day to fire Scott Stricklin,” wrote a fan.
“Scott Stricklin is 1-for-7 on coaching hires. $31M+ wasted on buyouts. Elite coaches don’t want the job. Time for a change,” argued a fan.
“Scott Striklin is the Billy Napier of athletic directors,” posted another.
“If Scott Stricklin had any sense, Lincoln Riley would be headed to Florida, not Jon Sumrall. Unfortunately, it appears he paid Billy Napier $21 million to leave so he could hire Billy Napier 2.0. The Gators continue to be unserious about football,” argued a poster.
“We don’t want Jon Sumrall as our Head Coach, nor Scott Stricklin as our AD!” suggested a fan.
“So how can we get Scott Stricklin fired if majority think he sucks at his job and ruining the football program? We would have been great again with Kiffin. If he goes after Sumrall he should be fired on the spot,” wrote another.
It’ll be interesting to see if Florida continues to go after Stricklin amid the backlash. Texas A&M had a similar situation with Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops in 2023 before the Aggies hired Mike Elko away from Duke.
For more on the NCAA, head to Newsweek Sports.
STARKVILLE — Ole Miss football coach Lane Kiffin is going to try to be a regular dad for a bit.
Then he’ll make the choice currently tearing him apart.
Ole Miss won one of the most important Egg Bowls in school history on Nov. 28. And yet, the next 24 hours may matter more to Ole Miss than what happened at Davis Wade Stadium.
The No. 6 Rebels beat the Bulldogs 38-19. It’s the third consecutive Egg Bowl win for Ole Miss (11-1, 7-1 SEC), cements the Rebels as first-time CFP participants and erases MSU’s (5-7, 1-7) path to a bowl game.
The positive momentum in Oxford could be shattered in one day. It’s up to Kiffin, who said postgame he needs to decide whether to depart for LSU or Florida on Nov. 29. That’s been Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter’s deadline since last week.
“These are hard decisions,” Kiffin said. “You guys have them all the time. You guys (reporters) have to make decisions about jobs you take, where you move. All those things. We get paid a lot so I know ours is under a different spotlight and scrutiny but, you know, a lot of people that are critical of it are the same people that do it all the time.”
Lane Kiffin’s schedule before picking between Ole Miss, LSU or Florida
Kiffin was headed straight from Starkville to Tupelo. In his words, the most important game of his day kicks off at 7 p.m.
Kiffin’s son, Knox, is starting for Oxford High in the MHSAA Class 7A state football. The game starts at 7 p.m.
Kiffin said he lives a day-to-day life. He’ll watch Knox play and leave the decision about his future until later. Sometime after that Kiffin will have to choose what offer to take.
LSU is a big brand with a recent national championship. Florida is where his coaching idol Steve Spurrier became a star, although reports indicated that the Gators are prepared to search elsewhere. Ole Miss is home.
Kiffin will become one of the sports highest-paid coaches regardless. Maybe $13 million, maybe closer to $15 million.
He knows he can’t be just another dad watching his son in Tupelo. Other dads don’t have million-dollar salaries. Other dads don’t generate headlines with their family takes trips to Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Gainesville, Florida.
“In other professions it’s a little easier because you get to go to places,” Kiffin said. “You go for a week, see all the schools. The neighborhood and stuff. Then you make the decision. Our jobs are more difficult that way, but I’m not complaining about it.”
Kiffin said he’s found himself missing his father, Monte, who died in 2024. He posted a picture of him on social media on Nov. 27 with he caption “Hero.” He wishes he could ask his dad for advice for his looming decision.
Kiffin doesn’t waver from his early morning hot yoga. It’s likely one of the last things he’ll before his big decision. He has long said it’s the hardest thing he does each day. Until Nov. 21, when he told the Clarion Ledger that it hasn’t been lately.
“Yeah, usually,” Kiffin said Nov. 21. “For most people. Except when you’ve had days like mine lately.”
Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at Shutchens@gannett.com or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_
Florida
Chaminade-Madonna vs. True North Classical Academy: Where to watch live Florida high school football playoffs (11/28/2025)
If you purchase a product through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.
The road to the 1A state championship runs through Hollywood this Friday night as the upstart True North Classical Academy Titans (10-2) travel to face the perennial powerhouse Chaminade-Madonna Lions (9-2) in a much-anticipated regional final matchup at Zappone Field.
The Titans enter riding high after an explosive 62-28 rout of Saint Andrew’s in last week’s semifinals, showcasing an offense firing on all cylinders at the perfect time.
Meanwhile, the host Lions dispatched Edison 47-18 in their semifinal contest, continuing their quest for another state title to add to their decorated trophy case.
With both teams demonstrating dominant offensive performances in their previous outings, this clash promises to be a high-scoring affair that will test True North’s Cinderella story against Chaminade-Madonna’s championship pedigree in what could be the most exciting 1A playoff game of the season.
Opening kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. ET on Friday, November 28 with a live TV broadcast on NFHS Network.
• WATCH: Chaminade-Madonna vs. True North Classical Academy football is livestreaming on NFHS Network
High school championships on NFHS Network
Watch high school sports anywhere from wherever you are.
Watch now
How to watch Chaminade-Madonna vs. True North Classical Academy football livestream
What: True North Classical Academy looks to continue Cinderella run against powerhouse Chaminade-Madonna in 1A regional final
When: Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. ET on Friday, November 28
Where: Zappone Field | Hollywood, Florida
Watch live: Watch Chaminade-Madonna vs. True North Classical Academy live on the NFHS Network
Northwestern settles with Trump administration in $75M deal to regain federal funding
False alarm triggers brief rescue operation aboard Carnival Radiance off Mexico coast
Multiple Chicago police officers attacked in downtown violence in which several victims were shot
World’s Strongest Woman contestants open up on unknowingly facing trans athlete at controversial event
Byron Donalds’ gubernatorial campaign to deploy trolling video truck outside of Kamala Harris Miami event
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
Northwestern settles with Trump administration in $75M deal to regain federal funding
Video: Meet the Theremin, an Instrument You Don’t Have to Touch to Play
USCIS halts ‘all asylum decisions’ after DC shooting of National Guard members
Hong Kong mourns victims of blaze as search for remains continues
How a solar explosion grounded 6,000 Airbus planes globally
-
Science1 week agoWashington state resident dies of new H5N5 form of bird flu
-
New York1 week agoDriver Who Killed Mother and Daughters Sentenced to 3 to 9 Years
-
Business4 days agoStruggling Six Flags names new CEO. What does that mean for Knott’s and Magic Mountain?
-
World1 week agoUnclear numbers: What we know about Italian military aid to Ukraine
-
Politics2 days agoRep. Swalwell’s suit alleges abuse of power, adds to scrutiny of Trump official’s mortgage probes
-
Northeast1 week agoCamelot or Cringe?: Meet JFK’s grandson turned congressional candidate for the scrolling generation
-
Ohio3 days agoSnow set to surge across Northeast Ohio, threatening Thanksgiving travel
-
Detroit, MI1 week agoThompson: Detroit Riverfront Conservancy leadership has a lot to prove