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Police: Man confesses to murder in St. Cloud

ST. CLOUD, Fla. — Police have arrested a man they say killed an acquaintance at a house party in St Cloud.

Investigators said they detained Jose Montes-Rodriguez, 29, as he walked along U.S. Highway 192 near Simpson Road around 8 a.m. Sunday.

Detectives told WFTV Montes-Rodriguez confessed to killing Cesar Rodriguez, 27, when they questioned him at police headquarters a short time later.

A spokesperson for St. Cloud Police said the men worked together, but weren't related.

Investigators said the slaying happened during a get-together in the 1400-block of Indiana Avenue early Sunday morning. They told Eyewitness News a small group was out drinking on the porch of a home when an 'altercation' arose. That's when detectives believe

Montes-Rodriguez shot and killed Cesar Rodriguez.

Police say witnesses ran, but called 911 to report the gunman may have retreated to his home nearby.

When officers responded to the 1600-block of Illinois Avenue, they believed the suspect was barricaded inside, refusing to surrender. After numerous attempts to coax the man out of the house, SWAT members forced their way inside, but learned the suspect was not there.

Montes-Rodriguez was spotted a short time later along U.S. 192 and detained by police. He is expected to be charged with first degree murder.