28-02-2025
Second arrest made after Santeria ritual in Hialeah turned into deadly shooting: cops
A second man has been arrested on charges of gunning down another earlier this month, after the pair got together for what police say was supposed to be a Santeria ritual in Hialeah.
Yasmany Matos, 35, was cuffed Tuesday while recovering from a stab wound at Jackson Memorial Hospital. His arrest comes after Milton Cao, 48, was already charged in connection with the same case. Both are charged with second degree murder.
On Feb. 12, Hialeah Police responded to a shooting at a home around 10:15 p.m. When officers arrived, they found a man only identified as Nodar lying unresponsive and covered in blood just outside the front door, according to Matos and Cao's arrest affidavits.
Inside the house, police say they discovered two other injured people: Matos' teenage son, who had cuts on both arms, and Matos, who had been stabbed in the head — with the knife still lodged in place. Cao, who was also at the home, had no injuries and was detained for questioning.
Nodar was subsequently pronounced dead. Matos' son was taken to Nicklaus Children's Hospital, while Matos was transported to Jackson Memorial Ryder Trauma Center for his injuries, according to police.
Two women who were in the house at the time also spoke to police.
Detectives later interviewed Matos' son, who explained that he and his father were at Cao's house because Matos was performing a Santería ritual for him. At some point, an argument broke out between Matos, Cao and Nodar, leading them outside to the parking lot. A short time later, Matos' son heard a gunshot and saw Nodar stumbling back inside, bleeding from his leg, saying he had been shot, police say.
Police say Nodar then went to the bathroom and grabbed a folding knife before coming back and stabbing Matos in the head. Matos' son tried to stop him but was stabbed in both arms in the process.
Despite already being shot and injured — according to police — Nodar then tried to leave the house. As he was walking out, Cao shot him multiple times, killing him.
Police say that Cao told a Sergeant on scene: 'I kill for fun.' Court records show Cao has since pled not guilty.
The next day, detectives obtained security camera footage from a nearby home, which captured the shooting outside.
Around 10:10 p.m., Matos, Cao, and Nodar were seen walking outside together.
Nodar then walked toward a car parked in front of the house, with Matos closely following behind. Suddenly, Matos shoved Nodar aggressively. Nodar, appearing petrified, quickly ran behind the car for cover.
Seconds later, Matos reached into his waistband, pulled out an unknown object and shot Nodar multiple times, police say. Nodar fell to his knees, limped back inside the house and was trailed by Cao and Matos.
Matos remained in the hospital for treatment as of Tuesday, according to his arrest affidavit. Since he has a lawyer, police have not questioned him.
