Florida Landlord Executes Tenant Over Room Temperature

A thermostat dispute between a landlord and tenant in Westchester, Florida, took a horrifying turn when the landlord allegedly shot and killed his tenant. The details of the deadly encounter have raised concerns about the landlord's actions and motives.

Confrontation Over Thermostat Settings

On Saturday, Jan. 25, at around 8 a.m., 37-year-old Adam Louis Anson approached the apartment of his tenant, Carlos Alberto Gonzalez, 57. The two shared a property where a single thermostat controlled the temperature for both the landlord's home and the tenant's unit. The thermostat, located in the hallway of Gonzalez's apartment, became the center of a heated dispute.

According to police, Anson knocked on Gonzalez's door, demanding access to adjust the temperature. When Gonzalez opened the door, Anson allegedly forced his way inside and began attacking him, punching him "unprovoked," as reported by PEOPLE.

A Heated Dispute Ends in Gunfire

After the initial confrontation, Anson allegedly dragged Gonzalez into the backyard of the property, where the violence escalated further. There, Anson reportedly shot Gonzalez multiple times in the head, according to police.

Neighbors described the chaos that unfolded, with one witness, Leyani Perez, recounting the terrifying moments saying, "After seconds, I was able to recognize that something wrong was happening in my backyard and I was extremely scared. I started screaming and I called my husband, 'Hey go to the backyard because I feel a stranger is in the backyard.' Then I heard boom, boom, boom, boom," as reported by WKRC.

After the shooting, Anson reportedly walked back into the apartment, adjusted the thermostat, and returned to his home before calling 911. During the call, Anson claimed he acted in self-defense, alleging that Gonzalez had tried to hit him. However, investigators found no evidence to support the self-defense claim, according to the arrest affidavit obtained by PEOPLE.

First responders arrived to find Gonzalez with multiple gunshot wounds to the head. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Landlord Arrested for Fatal Shooting

Anson was arrested on the same day. During his court appearance in late January 2025, bond was denied for the 37-year-old landlord. According to NBC6 Miami, Anson remains in jail and has been charged with second-degree murder and burglary with armed assault or battery.

A Horrific Outcome to a Seemingly Simple Conflict

The fatal shooting has left many wondering how a disagreement over a thermostat could spiral into such a horrific outcome. While Anson maintains his claim of self-defense, the evidence suggests a deliberate act of violence. Why Anson thought murdering his tenant was a reasonable solution to the dispute remains a mystery.

References: Landlord Allegedly Fatally Shoots Tenant in Dispute Over Thermostat | Landlord allegedly murdered tenant over thermostat temperature | Bond denied for landlord accused of fatally shooting tenant in Westchester