MIAMI, FLORIDA: A man who allegedly shot his son multiple times in their Kendall home in Miami Dade, Florida, on November 3 has entered a not-guilty plea.
David Contreras, 52, is facing a second-degree murder charge in the November 3 killing of Eric Contreras, 21.
Eric Contreras was a college student at Florida International University
David Contreras did not appear in court Monday, November 27, his attorney entered the not guilty plea for him at a formal arraignment, as reported by NBC Miami.
Eric Contreras was a college student at Florida International University and a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.
The fraternity issued a statement expressing their grief and remembering Eric as a caring man who embodied their principles.
“The brothers of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Florida Nu Chapter at Florida International University are heartbroken to have learned this morning of the loss of one our own, Eric Contreras," the fraternity said.
"Eric was a committed SigEp who will always be remembered for being a caring man and for lighting up any room he was in," the fraternity added in their statement.
"He truly embodied our cardinal principles of Virtue, Diligence and Brotherly Love. All brothers are being offered free counseling services by FIU," the statement continued.
Eric had also struggled with his mental health, according to his father’s attorney.
David Contreras had confessed to the police about shooting his son Eric multiple times
According to an arrest report as reported by the outlet, David Contreras shot his son multiple times “for unknown reasons” and then called 911 and told them he had shot his son.
When officers arrived at the scene at Southwest 106th Street 84th Avenue, they found Eric Contreras suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
“This is just a very tragic situation. He is distraught,” defense attorney Frank Quintero Jr, one of three lawyers representing David Contreras, told NBC6 after the incident.
“The victim is the son of the defendant, and the victim has suffered from some severe emotional and mental conditions, and we’re still trying to determine what happened, why it happened," he added.
David Contreras is being held at the Turner Gilford Knight Center with no bond
David Contreras is being held at the Turner Gilford Knight Center with no bond.
Soon after the incident, one of David's neighbors said, “The very shocking thing that happened. I mean, it's so unlike this neighborhood, we never experienced anything like that ever.
"You know, and I don't know our family very well. My friends seem to know them. They said they were just a really good family. And we saw the sun a few times driving around areas where it popular. They had a lot of parties,” another neighbor told NBC6.
