- April 18, 2024
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UPDATED at 11:33 a.m. Friday
Flagler County Sheriff’s Office investigators have made an arrest in connection to the Feb. 21 execution-style shooting death of Zuheily Rosado, a convenience store clerk who had been working at the Mobil gas station located at 6020 E. State Route 100, in Palm Coast.
Joseph Frank Bova II, 25, whose last known address was 4600 East Moody Boulevard, Bunnell, was arrested late Thursday afternoon by detectives with the Boca Raton Police Department on a warrant issued out of Flagler County on charges of first-degree murder in connection to Rosado’s death.
Surveillance video from the Mobil that was obtained on the night of the homicide was later further reviewed at which time a man, now believed to be Bova, was seen entering the store and using the store’s ATM machine several hours prior to the shooting.
Early in their investigation, investigators learned of the make and caliber of the weapon used in the attack and began a canvas of local gun retailers. Investigators learned that Bova had purchased a handgun similar to the one used in the homicide from a gun shop in Daytona Beach in 2012. Based on information obtained regarding the ATM transaction and the purchase of a handgun similar to the one used in the homicide, investigations viewed Bova as a person of interest in their investigation.
Investigators, working with detectives of the Boca Raton Police Department, located Bova, who was living out of his vehicle in Boca Raton. Flagler County investigators travelled to Boca Raton on Monday and worked with local law enforcement authorities to secure a search warrant for Bova’s vehicle.
A search of the vehicle was conducted on Tuesday, at which time a handgun was recovered from inside the vehicle. Investigators submitted the handgun for examination to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and for comparison with the three shell cartridge casings that were recovered at the homicide scene on the night of Rosado’s death. Investigators were notified Wednesday by FDLE that the handgun that had been recovered from Bova’s vehicle was a match to the weapon used in the homicide.
Investigators then secured a warrant for Bova’s arrest.
Following Bova’s arrest, investigators returned to Boca Raton and attempted to speak with him about the incident. Bova disclosed little information and later declined to speak further with investigators.
Bova was booked into the Palm Beach County Detention facility Thursday evening, where he is being held on no bond to await return to Flagler County.
Bova was said to be living in Palm Coast from June 2012 to February 2013. The investigation is ongoing, Manfre said.
“Ms. Rosado’s death was both tragic and senseless. This man has forever changed the lives of Ms. Rosado’s children, her parents, other family members and friends,” Sheriff Jim Manfre said. “My hope is that the arrest of this man in connection with her death will allow Ms. Rosado’s family to move further along in the healing process.”
ORIGINAL STORY
An arrest has been made in the killing of a Palm Coast convenience store clerk, Flagler County deputies said Thursday.
Zuheily Rosado, 32, was shot and killed around 10:21 p.m. Feb. 21, as she worked at the Mobil gas station at 6200 E. State Road 100, in Palm Coast.
The Sheriff’s Office has scheduled a press conference for 11 a.m. Friday to announce the arrest of a suspect in the killing.
Rosado was found on the floor behind the counter by a customer. Surveillance footage showed the man enter the store and fire one shot.
Additional details of the investigation will be released Friday morning. Check back for updates.
For previous coverage, click here.
