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Placido Moreno-Torres: Husband charged in double homicide of Lehigh wife and neighbor

Posted at 10:14 PM, Jun 19, 2016
and last updated 2016-06-20 09:37:36-04

A 47-year-old Lehigh Acres man is charged with double homicide in the death of his wife, and their neighbor.

According to the Lee County Sheriff's office, Placido Moreno-Torres shot and killed his wife Amparo Torres Saturday night and Ricardo Vaca; the couple's neighbor who authorities say was helping mediate an argument between the couple.

A neighbor told Fox 4 others living near the home along Unice Avenue N and 9 Street W attempted to help the victims.

"The first thing I heard is the people crying for help when I just parked in my driveway," said the neighbor who did not want to be identified.

Detectives say Vaca tried to help the couple who he overheard arguing in their front yard. During the argument, Moreno-Torres opened fire on his wife and Vaca.

"I looked behind me and saw a young lady running around here and saying 'I need help, I need help my brother is shot. They shot my brother,' and I looked over there and see what happened."

Neighbors describe Vaca as a nice man who was always willing to help those in need. An ultrasound posted on his Facebook page shows he was a father to-be.

"We all got together to see what we can do but we couldn't save any lives."

Moreno-Torres will be booked into the Lee County Jail on two counts of homicide and one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.