Fort Lauderdale, Florida — In the deep, quiet hours of the night, when the world is meant to rest, a melody played that will never be forgotten. Inside the warm and lively walls of Antojitos Mexicanos, laughter and conversation floated through the air, blending with the sound of music from a jukebox. But by the end of that night, all that remained were shattered lives, broken hearts, and the echo of a song that will forever haunt those who heard it.
In a moment so quick it barely had time to be understood, a disagreement over a song playing on a jukebox turned into the final note in the life of a man. Socorro Camacho, a 54-year-old man, fell to the ground, his spirit departing in the early hours of Monday morning. What should have been an ordinary night became a devastating chapter in his story—one that ended far too soon.
A Song, a Dispute, a Life Lost
It is said that music has the power to heal, to uplift, and to bring people together. Yet, in this tragic moment, it became the spark that ignited an unspeakable flame. Mauro Bonilla, a witness and friend of the men involved, recounted the moments leading to the fatal shot. He described a casual conversation that quickly spiraled into anger, inflamed by words that carried a bitter edge.
“One man insulted the other, ridiculing his choice of song,” Bonilla recalled, his voice heavy with grief. “He said, ‘You’re not a real Mexican if you play that music,’ and those words hung in the air, sharp as a blade.”
It was a cruel taunt, one aimed not just at taste, but at identity, pride, and belonging. And from that taunt came violence. In the heat of the argument, César Esquivel Estrada, aged 46, is said to have pulled a gun, the weapon of choice when words no longer suffice. One bullet was fired, and in an instant, Camacho’s life slipped away.
The Aftermath: A Community in Shock
When the police arrived at the scene, it was too late. The man who had once stood, full of life, joy, and the hope of another tomorrow, was gone. His body, marked by gunfire, lay still on the floor as the hum of the jukebox continued, unaware of the tragedy it had unintentionally underscored.
As dawn broke over Fort Lauderdale, the gravity of what had occurred settled on the hearts of those who knew Camacho. His family and friends were left to grapple with the senselessness of it all—how a disagreement over a song had escalated to a moment of irreversible violence. A moment that could never be undone.
Justice and Consequences
Following an intense investigation, César Esquivel Estrada was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. His actions on that fateful night left him with no place to run, no shelter from the consequences of his choices. The weight of the law will bear down upon him, but it will never undo the pain he has caused.
Held without bail, Estrada now faces not only the criminal charges but also an immigration detainer, signaling that he may have been living in the United States unlawfully. His future now lies in the hands of the courts, but for the loved ones of Camacho, no sentence will ever bring back the man they lost.
A Community Left Searching for Answers
For those who remain, there are only questions—questions that may never have answers. How could something so trivial lead to something so final? How could a simple night out end in such heartbreak?
We are reminded that the things we say in moments of anger can shape our futures in ways we can never predict. Words, like songs, carry weight. They linger in the air, leaving an impression long after they’ve been spoken.
But the true tragedy lies in the fact that, at the heart of this, two men—both of them immigrants, both of them seeking a place to call home—became enemies in a fight that should have never been. Now, one man will never return to his family, and another will likely lose the rest of his days to regret and confinement.
Call for Action
The police urge anyone who may have information about this incident to come forward. Broward County Crime Stoppers can be reached at 954-493-TIPS, offering a way for those who seek justice to contribute to the ongoing investigation.
But no matter what comes next, one thing is certain: a family will mourn, a community will grieve, and a song—once meant to bring joy—will now forever be tied to sorrow.
