The defendant who shot two senior citizens, during a street takeover, as they attempted to drive through a Lehigh Acres intersection, has been sentenced. Armando Cruz, who was 17 years old at the time of the crime, has been sentenced to 17 years in prison.
The defendant was direct filed as an adult by the State Attorney’s Office, to face charges in adult court. The prison sentence will be followed by 5 years of probation. Cruz pled guilty to two counts of Attempted Second Degree Murder and one count each of Shooting at/within or into a Vehicle, Street Takeover, Breach of Peace, and Unlawful Assembly. Restitution was ordered and reserved with $10,000 being paid to the victims at the time of sentencing.
Assistant State Attorney Marilla Shoemaker prosecuted the case.
The shooting happened on March 19, 2023, at Milwaukee Boulevard and Homestead Road. It was just after 4 a.m. as the couple drove their truck into the area, hauling a boat, headed out on a trip. There was a large gathering of cars and people blocking the intersection and nearby streets.
As the victims drove forward into the intersection, they were blocked in all directions by vehicles and many people. Several people approached and started to punch and kick the vehicles as the victims sat in their truck, trapped.
The defendant then ran up to the window of the truck, on the passenger side, pulled out a gun and fired, hitting both occupants. The man was shot in the lower face, his wife, was shot in the arm. The defendant then fled the scene. The victims were able to get to a local hospital and both survived the shooting.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office immediately responded to the scene and started an investigation which led to the identification and arrest of Cruz.
Samantha Syoen – Communications Director, State Attorney’s Office