A Hialeah Gardens tragedy has shaken the community after an early February morning turned deadly. Local10 reports that Noel Ruiz-Mestre, a 50-year-old local resident, is accused of first-degree murder and arson following an incident where he allegedly killed his spouse by detonating an explosive device inside their vehicle.

The bomb exploded just after 6 a.m. on the 8800 block of Northwest 114th Terrace. Neighbors report being abruptly woken by the blast, "We heard explosions, some screams," neighbor Miguel Hernandez told Local10. Home surveillance footage captured the explosion, with officials specifying the device used was either an unknown incendiary device or improvised explosive device.

According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office, Ruiz-Mestre and his spouse were in an argument that morning before the victim attempted to exit the vehicle. It's alleged that Ruiz-Mestre then intentionally set the car on fire. When Miami-Dade fire crews arrived on the scene, they found the victim in the front passenger seat, deceased and "burned beyond recognition," as stated by officials to NBC Miami.

In a bizarre twist, Ruiz-Mestre reportedly called 911 after the incident, having stabbed himself multiple times in the stomach. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition, also sustaining burns from the explosion. The arrest form notes his unusual behavior prior to the incident, with neighbor Hernandez sharing with NBC Miami, "The guy was a little more quiet, you know. He usually take a chair and sit in front of the house. He do nothing, I don’t know, he was really strange."

While Ruiz-Mestre is still in the hospital as of last reports, he faces grim prospects upon recovery. With charges of murder and arson looming over him, law enforcement makes clear the gravity of the crime. The identity of the victim has not been disclosed to the public.