Suspect killed Kissimmee man because he “liked men” but not a hate crime, police say

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Two suspects have been arrested for the shooting death of a 61-year-old homeless man outside an auto parts store in Osceola County.

Police charged Jason Simmons, 31, and Jonanthony Santiago, 23, with killing Guillermo Olivencia in the parking lot of Advance Auto Parts on North Main Street in Kissimmee on April 25.

Simmons claims that the shooting was in retaliation because Olivencia made advances toward him, according to police, saying he had “been in prison before and liked men.”

Police say while Simmons killed the man because he made advances toward him that they are not handling this as a hate crime.

Simmons reportedly left the auto parts store and returned some time later with a gun, says police.

Two men were seen fleeing the auto parts store parking lot using surveillance footage from security cameras and Santiago identified Simmons as the shooter after being picked up for a traffic stop, according to police.

“I’m not in trouble am I? All I did was drive the guy,” Santiago said to police. “He told me he was going to shoot him but I didn’t really believe him.”

Simmons and Santiago were arrested April 21 and booked into the Osceola County Jail on no bond.

Olivencia was living out of his car and has no family in the area, said police.

Simmons and Santiago were charged with premeditated murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

More in News

See More