A Mascotte man has been found guilty of second-degree murder for the death of a shooting victim in 2019.
Jurors found 35-year-old Alexander Aguilar guilty of second-degree murder with a firearm and aggravated battery with a firearm on Wednesday, April 22. Aguilar’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 15.
The charges stem from an incident back in June 2019, in which Mascotte Police Department officers responded to a call for service regarding a shooting that had occurred. When officials arrived on scene, they located the first victim, 35-year-old Juan Ramon Cruz, lying on the street unresponsive. Cruz was pronounced deceased on scene.
Officers also identified another victim, who had a gunshot wound to the knee. Emergency medical personnel began treatment of the victim’s injuries. While being treated, the victim informed law enforcement that Aguilar had fired shots at both victims before leaving the scene in a black Ford F-350 pickup truck.
Another witness on scene stated to detectives that several friends were at the location drinking when Aguilar and his friends arrived. During that time, Aguilar and the victim got into a physical argument, which was broken up by another witness. Aguilar and his friends walked back to the front yard, where he armed himself and fired in the direction of both victims. Aguilar then fled the area.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office was called out to assist with the investigation. LCSO officials sent out an alert for the vehicle, and deputies with the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office observed the truck in their jurisdiction and conducted a traffic stop.
SCSO deputies noticed bullet holes on the side of the vehicle and had both occupants exit. Aguilar was identified as the passenger of the vehicle and detained for questioning. After being read his Miranda Warnings, Aguilar admitted to pulling out a firearm and shooting both victims. He claimed it was self-defense. The jury rejected this argument and found him guilty.
Assistant State Attorney Edward Moffitt prosecuted the case with assistance from Victim Advocate Celena Ikensaa and Assistant State Attorney Eduardo Faria.