Man found guilty of accidentally shooting, killing girlfriend in Lehigh Acres

Writer: Matthew Seaver
Published: Updated:
Hilario Jose-Cruz
Hilario Jose-Cruz, 24. (Credit: Lee County Sheriff’s Office)

The man who confessed to the accidental Christmas Eve shooting of his girlfriend has been found guilty of manslaughter.

Hilario Jose-Cruz, 24, was found guilty of the 2020 shooting after a three-day trial in Lee County.

According to the State Attorney’s Office, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a home in Lehigh Acres after a 911. When they arrived, they found Jose-Cruz standing near his girlfriend, who was lying on the ground bleeding after being shot in the chest. She died shortly after deputies arrived.

Home where to shooting took place in December 2020. (Credit: WINK News)

The State Attorney’s Office said Jose-Cruz told deputies that he had been drinking and smoking a THC vape pen while dancing with a loaded firearm right before the shooting.

Jose-Cruz is set to be sentenced on August 8.

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