Office of The State Attorney, Fifth Judicial Circuit, Florida
Facebook-f Instagram X-twitter
Serving the Citizens of Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, and Sumter Counties
Office of The State Attorney, Fifth Judicial Circuit, Florida
Facebook-f Instagram X-twitter
Serving the Citizens of Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, and Sumter Counties

Newsroom

AGUILAR FOUND GUILTY OF SECOND-DEGREE MURDER AFTER SHOOTING

(Lake County, FL) Last Wednesday, April 22, 2026, jurors found 35-year-old Alexander Aguilar guilty of Second-Degree Murder with a Firearm and Aggravated Battery with a Firearm. Aguilar’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 15, 2026, at 9 a.m.

The charges stem from an incident back in June of 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 the defendant and his friends arrived. During that time, the defendant and the victim got into a physical argument, which was broken up by other witness. The Defendant and his friends walked back to the front yard where the Defendant then armed himself and fired in the direction of both victims. Aguilar then fled the area.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) 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 (SCSO) 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. Aguilar claimed it was self-defense. The jury rejected this argument and found the Defendant guilty.

Assistant State Attorney Edward Moffitt prosecuted the case with assistance from Victim Advocate Celena Ikensaa and Assistant State Attorney Eduardo Faria.

Published on 05/01/2026.