Hugo Roberto Laz {BSO}
By Ryan Yousefi
A man faces first-degree manslaughter charges after he alleges his gun accidentally discharged while dancing, killing a woman.
On January 27, the Lauderhill Police Department received a 911 call from a residence indicating a woman suffered a gunshot and was unresponsive.
Upon arriving at the apartment located at 2017 Northeast 46th Avenue on January 27, officers and Lauderhill Fire and Rescue found a 22-year-old woman, identified as Regina Vidal, with a gunshot wound inside the residence. Minutes later, she was declared dead.
The Lauderhill Police Department immediately investigated the incident, gathering evidence and witness statements. Surveillance footage from a nearby resident’s Ring camera would soon play a critical role in piecing together the events leading to the shooting.
According to records, video clips revealed a group of individuals near the victim’s apartment hours before the incident and a distressed individual leaving the scene shortly after the shooting.
Detectives then interviewed several witnesses – some depicted in the videos – at the Lauderhill Police Department, who provided statements and cooperated fully with the investigation.
Among those interviewed were the victim’s brother, his girlfriend, and a friend from California. Each suggested a friendly gathering had turned deadly when a firearm, handled by a man, later identified as Hugo Roberto Lazo, 24, of Oakland Park, discharged accidentally, striking and killing Vidal.
According to one witness, Lazo had been standing in the living room dancing with a firearm when the gun accidentally discharged and struck Vidal.
Witnesses say Lazo was alone with the victim for a certain amount of time when they heard a gunshot go off. Upon entering the room where Lazo and the victim were, he told the others, “he fucked up,” and apologized before fleeing the scene before officers arrival.
Witnesses immediately called 911.
According to Telemundo51, neighbors of the victim were told that she and Lazo, who is believed to have been her boyfriend, were constantly fighting to the point that they called the police several times.
“They would fight in the hallway, on the stairs, in the parking lot… it was very chaotic,” a neighbor who wished to remain anonymous told Telemundo 51.
In the aftermath, a thorough examination of the crime scene and witness testimonies led to the recovery of the firearm involved. It was also discovered that the living room had a camera system, but it was inoperable at the time of the incident.
Further investigation, supported by DNA samples and gunshot residue tests from those present, solidified the chain of events that culminated in this tragic accident.
After completing their initial investigation, law enforcement determined there was probable cause to arrest Hugo Roberto Lazo on charges of manslaughter with a firearm.
Lazo was taken into custody without incident on February 14.
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