Police: Hialeah Landlord Shoots, Kills Tenant Over Late Rent

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HIALEAH (CBSMiami) -- A 76-year-old landlord is in police custody after he admitted to officers that he shot and killed his tenant following an altercation over rent.

It happened Saturday night at 7490 W. 12th Avenue.

According to the arrest report, landlord Reineiro Espino Caballero confronted his tenant, Ramon Emilio Gutierrez Castillo, 46, about a $550 rent for an efficiency unit that had been due April 1st.

The two argued briefly before Castillo walked back inside his home and locked the door.

Caballero told police he then walked to his own home, adjacent to the victim's unit, grabbed a gun and fired a single shot at Castillo's front door.

The bullet shattered the glass door and struck Castillo in the hip, police said.

Caballero then allegedly entered Castillo's home where things got physical. Caballero said he was able to overpower Castillo and shoot him one more time in the face.

Castillo was pronounced dead at the scene.

Caballero now faces a first-degree murder charge, as well as armed burglary.