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Suspect denied bond, arrested after deadly shooting over dog in West Palm Beach

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Posted at 5:38 AM, Apr 26, 2019
and last updated 2019-04-26 19:44:05-04

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The West Palm Beach Police Department said Thursday a 26-year-old man was arrested in connection with a fatal shooting that stemmed from an argument over a dog not being on a leash.

Slobodan Jakovljevic, 68, was shot and killed Feb. 5 at the Park Place Apartments, located at 1620 Presidential Way.

RELATED: Family of shot man speak about death of loved one

Officials say the suspect, Ian Edward Stefan, 26, surrendered late Thursday afternoon and was booked at the Palm Beach County Jail. On Friday, a judge denied him bond.

"This is not a happy day," said Gina Rizzo, the victim’s daughter.

Rizzo read an emotional letter in court Friday after a judge denied Stefan bond.

"He was a husband, a father, a grandfather and a friend," said Rizzo. "In the blink of an eye, Ian Stefan shot and killed my dad."

"I miss my husband so much," said Anka Jakovljevic, the victim’s late wife. "I don’t know how I’m going to continue to live without him."

Police said the two men got into an argument about a pit bull not being on a leash.

Stefan's attorney said Jakovlijevic was a bully and Stefan was acting in self-defense. But police said there was no reasonable explanation for Stefan to shoot Jakovlijevic, who was unarmed.

"It brought a little closure to our family, but very little," said Rizzo.

Stefan is now facing a second-degree murder charge.