The dramatic capture of Kevin Millares, a 27-year-old man accused of a shocking shooting in Orlando, has brought a sense of relief to the community. Millares, who was apprehended in New York by the U.S. Marshals Service is now facing serious charges related to the incident that left a 70-year-old woman in critical condition.
The case has garnered significant attention due to the brazen nature of the attack and the subsequent manhunt that spanned multiple states. As the legal process unfolds, the community is left to grapple with the aftermath of this violent act and the swift actions that led to Millares’ arrest.
The incident and the manhunt
On the morning of June 8, a 70-year-old woman was walking near the 1000 block of Egan Drive in Orlando’s Azalea Park neighborhood when she noticed an unfamiliar man approaching her. As she turned away near a bus stop, the man allegedly shot her three times in the back, leaving her in critical condition.
A witness across the street reported seeing the suspect pass the victim, walk up behind her, and fire. After she fell to the ground, the suspect allegedly shot her two more times. The victim was rushed to the hospital and underwent emergency surgery.
Detectives quickly gathered surveillance footage from multiple homes in the area, which showed the suspect walking through the neighborhood before the attack. A real estate agent connected to a nearby property identified the man as Kevin Millares, who lived at 800 Faber Drive just blocks from the scene.
The search for the suspect
When a SWAT team served a search warrant at Millares’ home, he was already gone. However, investigators found a loaded Hornady.380 magazine and a box of matching ammunition in the kitchen, which matched the caliber of the three shell casings recovered at the scene. Additionally, black shorts and sandals found in the master bedroom matched what the suspect was seen wearing in the surveillance footage.
A K-9 unit tracked the suspect’s scent from the scene to just across the street from his address, but Millares had already fled the area. The U.S. Marshals Service took over the case, leading a multi-state manhunt that ultimately resulted in Millares’ arrest in New York.
The legal process
Millares is currently being held in the Orange county jail and has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree attempted murder with a firearm, a capital felony. Prosecutors are asking a judge to keep Millares locked up without bond until trial, with a ruling on pretrial detention expected soon.
The case has highlighted the importance of community involvement in solving crimes, as well as the effectiveness of multi-agency cooperation in apprehending suspects. As the legal process continues, the community is hopeful that justice will be served for the victim and her family.
