By james art 
A second arrest was made in a violent incident that occurred during a Santeria ritual in Hyalia, Florida, on February 12, 2025. Yasmani Matos, 35, is now facing a second-degree murder accusation that escalates to a trial and fatal shooting.
The dispute began when Matos attended a Santheria ritual at the home of 50-year-old Milton Kao. Police say a dispute has erupted between the two men, which soon became violent. According to authorities, Matos removed a firearm and shot a man named Nodar several times outside the house. Despite his injuries, Nodar managed to do it inside the home, where he arm himself with a knife and stab Matos in the head. Matos’s 16-year-old son tried to intervene during confrontation and was wounded with cuts on his hands.
Nodar tried to leave the house, but before he succeeded, Kao supposedly shot him repeatedly, killing him on the spot. Employees arrived shortly afterwards and arrested CAO, who is now facing second -degree murder charges and illegal possession of a firearm. He has a previous sentence for a crime of 2012. Matos has been taken to the hospital with a severe head injury, but later arrested after recovery.
Both suspects are currently holding a bond. Cao is scheduled for a court hearing in early March, while Matos has not yet appeared in court because of his injuries. Both are expected to face serious charges of their roles in the tragic incident.
This shocking incident has left the Hyallea community. The neighbors were astonished by the violence and described to see a heavy police presence after the shooting. Local authorities stressed that this seems to be an isolated event, not a family feud and that it does not reflect broader problems in the neighborhood.
Santeria, the religion that is practiced during the ritual, combines elements of African spiritual traditions with Roman Catholicism. Although practice usually involves peace rituals such as music and suggestions, this event emphasizes the potential for violence even in these contexts.
The Hyaliah Police Department continues its investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident and is committed to guaranteeing justice for all participants.