Winter Haven Police officers arrested a man Wednesday in connection with an fatal altercation in a restaurant parking lot in April.

  • Omar Miguel Marrero, 27, charged with manslaughter
  • Marrero punched Steven Bradley Smith, 24, after a disagreement

Officers took Omar Miguel Marrero, 27, into custody and charged him with manslaughter. The charges stem from an April 8 incident in which Marrero punched Steven Bradley Smith, 24, and knocked him to the ground.

Investigators say Marrero and Smith were out with co-workers when they started arguing about each other's work ethic. The men then went out to the parking lot, where police say the fatal blow was struck.

The co-workers, who told police they left the restaurant ahead of Marrero and Smith, reported hearing something hit the ground while they were standing by their cars in the parking lot. They turned and found Smith lying unconscious. Marrero reportedly left the scene.

Smith was transported to St. Joseph's Hospital, and died the following day. The county medical examiner determined Monday that Smith's injuries were consistent with someone striking their head on pavement, causing fatal damage.

According to officials, Marrero admitted to punching Smith in the jaw and knocking him to the pavement. He's currently being held in the Polk County Jail without bond.