A pre-med student at the University of Florida drove to his mother's Polk County home on Saturday (April 6) and allegedly stabbed her to death, according to a news release from the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said in a press conference video posted to social media that Emmanuel Espinoza, 21, was driving in for a family event and asked his mom if he could stay with her. She agreed.
Sheriff Judd said, "He knocked on the front door, and when mom opened the door, he began to stab her and he stabbed her many times. She ran from him. She was talking to a family member on the phone. And in addition to that, he stabbed her until she fell down and died."
When police talked to Emmanuel Espinoza, he said he had wanted to kill his mother for many years because she "got on his nerves," according to Sheriff Judd.
Emmanuel Espinoza's mother, Elvia Espinoza, 46, was a second-grade teacher at Ben Hill Griffin Elementary School in Frostproof. Elvia Espinoza previously worked as a secretary at Frostproof Middle-Senior.
Emmanuel Espinoza called 911 after the stabbing, confessed to killing his mother, and was arrested. He will be charged with first-degree murder.
There will be a team of grief counselors at Frostproof Ben Hill Griffin Jr. Elementary as well as at Frostproof Middle-Senior on Monday, according to a statement from Polk County Public Schools.
PCPS said all students will also have access to free telehealth services, including mental health services.
Watch the entire press conference video below:
