Miami Landlord Accused of Murdering Tenant Over Thermostat Dispute

Landlord in Miami faces charges after alleged fatal shooting of tenant over thermostat dispute during an unusual cold spell.

A landlord in Miami is accused of fatally shooting his tenant after an argument escalated over the thermostat setting, amid unusually chilly temperatures in South Florida. The incident reportedly occurred as temperatures dipped into the high 40s, a rare cold spell for the region.

According to authorities, 37-year-old Adam Louis Anson, who resides in a house on the 9400 block of SW 17th Terrace with an attached efficiency apartment, became upset about the thermostat setting, which was located inside the rented apartment. Anson allegedly armed himself with a handgun on Saturday morning, knocked on the tenant’s window around 8 a.m., and demanded to adjust the temperature.

When the tenant, 57-year-old Carlos Alberto Gonzalez, opened the door, Anson allegedly forced his way inside and began punching Gonzalez without provocation. Authorities say Anson then dragged Gonzalez to the backyard and shot him multiple times in the head.

Following the incident, Anson reportedly entered the apartment, adjusted the thermostat to his preference, and then returned to his side of the home to call 911. Emergency responders arrived and transported Gonzalez to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Claims of Self-Defense Disputed

Anson reportedly told law enforcement that he acted in self-defense, claiming Gonzalez attempted to punch him, prompting him to draw his gun. However, police found no evidence to support this claim. Anson was subsequently arrested on charges of second-degree murder and armed burglary with assault.

Neighbors described the household as tense, with a history of prior police visits to the property. Leyani Perez, a neighbor living behind the home, recounted hearing the commotion followed by gunfire.

“After seconds, I was able to recognize that something wrong was happening in my backyard and I was extremely scared,” Perez told reporters. “I started screaming and called my husband, saying, ‘Hey, go to the backyard because I feel a stranger is in the backyard.’ Then I heard boom, boom, boom, boom.”

Anson is currently being held at a Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation facility without bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for February 18.

A Miami landlord has been charged with second-degree murder after allegedly killing his tenant during an argument over a thermostat setting, amid unusually cold South Florida temperatures.