The victims, ages 31 and 27, were listed in critical condition after the late-night shooting on Carter Drive.
KISSIMMEE, FL — A 55-year-old man was jailed on attempted murder charges after Osceola County deputies said he admitted shooting two brothers during a late-night confrontation in Kissimmee. Investigators said both victims suffered multiple gunshot wounds and remained in critical condition at a local hospital.
Authorities said the case turned quickly after deputies found the suspect near the scene and began treating him as a possible witness. The arrest has left investigators working to sort out what led to the gunfire, what happened in the moments before the shots, and whether anyone else was involved. The brothers’ injuries were described by officials as severe, and the criminal case could change depending on their condition.
Deputies were called to Carter Drive late Saturday after reports of a shooting in a residential area of Kissimmee. Investigators said one brother, 31, was found with multiple gunshot wounds when deputies arrived. The other brother, 27, had already been taken to the hospital by relatives, deputies said. A neighbor told reporters she heard a quick series of shots on Valentine’s Day evening and then a sudden quiet, as if the neighborhood went still. “It was one right after the other,” the neighbor said, describing several shots in close succession.
While deputies worked the scene, they interviewed family members and tried to confirm who had been there when the shooting happened. The sister of the victims told investigators she did not see the shooting itself and came upon the aftermath, according to an arrest report summarized by local outlets. Deputies said they noticed a man standing about 50 yards away during the interview. At first, they believed he might be a witness who heard the shots or saw someone running away.
That man was later identified by authorities as Marlon Zetino, 55. Deputies said they approached him and asked if he heard gunshots. Instead of offering details about what he saw, investigators said Zetino made a brief statement that shifted the focus of the investigation. He said “something happened” and then told deputies, “just take me in,” according to the arrest report. Deputies said Zetino added that he had “done something bad” and that “he did it” after he was advised of his rights.
Investigators said Zetino knew the two men who were shot. In statements described in the arrest report, he told deputies they had been together earlier and had been drinking. He claimed the men threatened him and that an argument followed, deputies said. Another account from the scene suggested a dispute over money. The older brother told deputies that someone tried to take money from him and shot him, and he said he did not know who the shooter was, according to the report.
Authorities have not publicly released the brothers’ names. Officials also have not described the type of firearm used or said how many shots were fired, beyond witness accounts and the injuries described. Investigators documented what appeared to be bullet damage at a residence in the area and marked off parts of the scene as they collected evidence. Deputies said the shooting happened in a neighborhood with closely spaced homes, adding to concern from residents who reported hearing gunfire and then seeing emergency vehicles flood the street.
Zetino was booked into the Osceola County Jail on two counts of attempted murder, along with a count of discharging a firearm in public, deputies said. Jail and court records were expected to show whether a judge set bond conditions and any restrictions if the case moves forward toward trial. A court appearance was expected in the days after the arrest, and prosecutors could seek additional charges if investigators determine the shooting fits a different offense or if the victims’ medical status changes.
In Florida, attempted murder cases often hinge on what investigators can prove about intent, the sequence of events, and whether the suspect claimed self-defense. Deputies have not said whether Zetino asserted self-defense, and they have not described any injuries to him. Investigators have also not said whether there were other witnesses besides family members, or whether any surveillance video captured the incident. The sheriff’s office said the investigation remained active as detectives continued interviews and worked to match physical evidence to witness statements.
The shooting added to public unease in Osceola County, where law enforcement agencies have recently responded to other high-profile violence in and around Kissimmee. In separate incidents reported in recent weeks, authorities have described shootings outside a residence and an officer-involved shooting at a retail store. Those cases are unrelated to the Carter Drive investigation, but they have heightened attention on violent crime and the speed of law enforcement response in the area.
Neighbors on Carter Drive described the moments after the shots as confusing and tense, with people stepping outside to see what happened and then retreating as deputies arrived. Some residents said they avoid going out at night and rely on family and friends to check on each other when they hear sirens. Investigators, meanwhile, focused on reconstructing the timeline: when the argument began, who was present, and how the brothers ended up shot multiple times. The sheriff’s office has not said whether alcohol was a factor beyond statements described in the arrest report.
Both brothers were reported in critical condition at Osceola Regional Hospital. Officials have not released updates on whether either has improved, and detectives have not described whether the men have been able to speak with investigators since the shooting. The sheriff’s office said it would continue gathering information and asked anyone who witnessed the incident or has relevant details to contact investigators or provide tips through Crimeline.
As of Sunday, Zetino remained in custody while the investigation continued and detectives worked to verify accounts from the scene and establish a clear motive. The next milestones are expected to include a bond decision in court and additional updates from the sheriff’s office as investigators complete interviews and review evidence.
Author note: Last updated Feb. 22, 2026.