On December 10, 2023, 17-year-old Hispanic female Sofia Tellez Lugo was found deceased from a gunshot wound in a bedroom at a residence on NW 111th Court in Ocala, Florida. The home belonged to the family of her boyfriend, 21-year-old Saul Garcia Macias. According to the Marion County Sheriff's Office, Sofia's body was discovered with a close-contact gunshot wound beneath her chin, and a freshly inked tattoo of the name "Saul" was observed on her right arm.
Immediately following the incident, Saul Garcia Macias fled the scene. He was identified as a person of interest, and authorities launched a search for him. After 17 days, on December 27, 2023, Garcia Macias contacted the Sheriff's Office, claiming he had been lost in the woods since the night of Sofia's death. He alleged that "masked men" had entered the residence and killed Sofia while he was in the bathroom. However, investigators noted inconsistencies in his account, including clean clothing and footwear that did not match surveillance footage from the day after the shooting.
Based on witness statements and collected evidence, Saul Garcia Macias was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of 17-year-old Hispanic female Sofia Lugo. He is currently being held without bond in the Marion County Jail. Authorities have expressed concerns about his immigration status, noting that he is an undocumented immigrant with a history of fleeing law enforcement.
In the wake of Sofia's tragic death, her family and community members held a candlelight vigil outside the residence where she was killed. Family members described Sofia as a vibrant and creative young woman who aspired to become a tattoo artist. They continue to seek justice for her and have expressed a desire for a conviction in the case.
