Car repair argument results in self-defense killing

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – It's a self-defense case that started with an argument between an angry customer and an auto shop owner over car repairs.

Prosecutors said Everett Douglas (pictured below) was upset with the work done on his car last July at JC's automotive on Bert Road in Arlington, and he asked the auto shop owner, Juan Cintron, to fix everything without charging him anymore. Cintron offered to give him $50 back and for him to take his car somewhere else, prosecutors said.

That's when things got heated.

According to investigators, Douglas, 38, punched Cintron in the face, then continued to follow him and attack. A witness said she heard Douglas yell, "I'm going to kill you!"

Jacksonville Sheriff's Office booking photo of Everett Douglas from prior arrest

Prosecutors said Cintron grabbed a gun, and when his attacker tried to take it, he fired a single shot into his chest, killing him.

"Nobody understands self-defense," said defense attorney Janet Johnson, who's not affiliated with the case. "It's still going to be a subjective call, and the state attorney and (Jacksonville Sheriff's Office) are going to decide whether you get charged or not."

Johnson said self-defense claims can be tricky. But in this case, the shooter was never charged.

While the alleged attacker was unarmed, he had quite the size advantage, standing 6 foot 5 inches tall and weighing 275 pounds. Cintron, according to investigators, is just 5 foot 7 inches tall and 150 pounds.

"Prosecutors reviewed the case and said, "It is reasonable to believe that he felt his life was in danger of great bodily harm and/or death, and had to shoot Deceased. Juan Cintron did everything he could to get away from Deceased who kept pursuing, confronting, hitting and assaulting him."

While Cintron was detained and questioned, he was never arrested. It appears police thought it was self-defense all along but had to wait on the state attorney's office and Florida Department of Law Enforcement to investigate. Cintron has no criminal record and didn't ever go to jail because of what happened.

Johnson said Florida's self-defense laws came to the rescue for Cintron.

"I'm sure that the deceased's family doesn't think that they are correct, but I think that if you're going to have a doctrine of self-defense, this is the kind of person that it is going to apply to," Johnson said.

Channel 4 crime and safety analyst Ken Jefferson said this is another reason to be careful and avoid conflict at all cost or it could get you killed -- legally.

"I think that everybody needs to wake up now and realize that if you are intending to try to bully someone or try to physically take advantage of them, that person could be armed and could be prepared to use deadly force against you," Jefferson said.

Cintron's auto repair shop is no longer at that location. No one answered the door at his home for comment.

Douglas had an extensive criminal history.

Channel 4 was also unable to reach anyone related to Douglas. His last-known address was gated.