UPDATE: On April 26, 2022, the shooting suspect, Miguel Angel Ferretiz Zapata Jr, turned himself into the Haines City Police Department. Zapata was placed under arrest for the arrest warrant charging him with Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon and Carrying a Concealed Firearm. Zapata was also charged with Discharging a Firearm in Public, a 1st Degree Misdemeanor, Improper Exhibition of a Firearm/Dangerous Weapon, a First-Degree Misdemeanor, Carry Concealed Firearm/Weapon in a Prohibited Facility, a Second-Degree Misdemeanor, and Discharge Destructive Device Causing Bodily Harm a Second-Degree Felony.
On April 23, 2022, at approximately 8:04 PM, the Haines City Police Department
responded to Rudys Liquorup Lounge regarding a report of a Dangerous Shooting that was initially
reported as a gunshot wound to the victim’s back. Upon their arrival on the scene, officers found the 37 year-old victim with an injury to his upper back. The victim was transported to Lakeland Regional
Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division responded and began interviewing witnesses on the scene. The interviews revealed an argument between the victim and four other males inside the
establishment. One of the suspects invited the victim to “take it outside” Video surveillance from the bar showed three males punching and kicking the victim at the bar’s front entrance. The fourth male, who is outside, pulled a firearm from his waistband and fired several indiscriminate shots. Apparent debris or shrapnel from one of the projectiles struck the victim in the back.
Detectives identified the shooter as Miguel Angel Ferretiz Zapata Jr., from Haines City. An arrest warrant was obtained for Zapata, charging him with Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon and Carrying a Concealed Firearm.
Additional charges are pending for Zapata. The other three suspects have been identified as Cesir Rio (11/23/1990), Carlos Luna (06/13/1995). & Christian Luna (06/13/1995). Cesir Rios is being charged with simple battery, Carlos Luna and Cristian Luna are being charged with felony
batter because they were convicted of a battery that occurred in Orange County, Florida, on 11/30/2017.
Detectives are attempting to locate Zapata
Anyone with information on their whereabouts may call The Haines City Police Department or anyone with information who wants to REMAIN ANONYMOUS and be eligible for a CASH REWARD is asked to call Heartland Crime Stoppers Florida at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477) or log onto www.P3tips.com to submit your tip via the web. For a secure and password protected mobile app for your smart device, go to the app store and download the free “P3tips” mobile app. No caller ID. no recorded lines, no tracking cookies, no saved IP addresses. Anonymity is GUARANTEED.
