Janepsy Cindy Mesa was in the process of moving out of the ill-fated house when she walked into a bedroom and was confronted by a man.

The man, who turned out to have been an acquaintance of her late husband, was shot several times by Mesa, who then ran screaming outside and called 911. North Miami police deemed the incident a case of self-defense.

"She was not expecting him to be there," said Police Lt. Neal Cuevas.

Mesa's husband had been shot to death outside the home on April 23 by two gunmen who were still at large. The couple's young son was wounded in the arm.

The Miami Herald said police suspected the killing was drug related.

Mrs. Mesa appeared on television three days later to appeal for the public's help in finding the suspects, the newspaper said.