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Rolbert Joachin, 40, was arrested and charged on April 2 in Fort Myers after a woman was fatally bludgeoned with a hammer outside a Chevron gas station. Security camera footage released by authorities shows a man repeatedly striking, then approaching and fatally hitting the woman; police found the victim, later identified as 51-year-old Nilufa Easmin, on the ground with head wounds. Court documents and a GoFundMe organized by local community leaders described Easmin as a devoted mother who worked at the store. Officers located Joachin walking nearby the same day, took him into custody, and police said he has confessed; he was charged with murder and property damage and is due for arraignment on May 4. President Donald Trump reposted the surveillance video late Thursday on his Truth Social account and described the attacker as an "animal," arguing the footage supported his broader call for mass deportations. Trump said the suspect was from Haiti, while police and court records did not list his nationality but noted he requested a Creole interpreter. Acting ICE and HSI officials said Joachin arrived near Key West on a "water vessel" in August 2022, was granted Temporary Protected Status in 2023, and that status was revoked this week. The administration has highlighted crimes by immigrants, created a public database and held events for "Angel Families"; critics say the president's posts unfairly portray immigrants as criminals, and studies cited in coverage find people living in the U.S. illegally are less likely than native-born Americans to be arrested for many crimes.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.