Man tries to use a fake gun during an attempted robbery, instead gets shot to death by would-be victim

DAVENPORT, FL - According to a news release from the Polk County Sheriff's Office (PCSO), a man who was allegedly attempting to commit a robbery during a drug deal was killed when he pulled out a fake gun and threatened another man.

Just before midnight on Tuesday, December 19th, deputies were called to the scene of the incident by 44-year-old Christian MacDonald, who admitted to fatally shooting 33-year-old Harold Omar Sepulveda-Cruz. The shooting took place in the parking lot of the Tropicana Resort Motel located at 43420 Hwy 27. 

MacDonald told the deputies that the shooting was in self-defense, stating that Cruz had entered into the back seat of the car that he and 31-year-old Robert Rafael Cruceta-Pimentel Jr., were sitting in. MacDonald said that Cruz "immediately began demanding money and drugs from both of them while threatening to kill them if they did not comply."

During a news conference on Wednesday, December 20th, Sheriff Grady Judd said that Pimentel had been Cruz's "regular drug hookup" for a while, and the two had arranged to meet. They agreed to meet in the parking lot of the Tropicana Resort Motel, but before Pimentel arrived, he stopped by a nearby gas station. 

The sheriff's office said that Cruz had been in the car with Pimentel and told him he "needed some quick cash and wanted to hit a lick or rob someone." Judd said that Cruz and Pimentel had devised a plan and Pimentel went to the resort parking lot on his own. 

MacDonald, the man looking to purchase drugs, got into the passenger seat of Pimentel's car and the two began negotiating the sale. The two agreed on a $140 purchase, but before the money and drugs were exchanged, Cruz, who had walked over from the gas station, jumped into the back seat of the car. 

That is when, according to the sheriff's office, Cruz pulled out a fake gun and held it up to MacDonald's head. He hit MacDonald in the head with the fake gun and demanded the drugs and money. The fake gun was made out of a screwdriver duct taped to a block of wood. 

Judd said that MacDonald allegedly pleaded with Cruz to "not do this" because he had kids and it was the holiday season, but Cruz said he was going to "shoot him if he didn't hand over the money and drugs." In response, MacDonald reached into his pocket and pulled out a handgun, which he was carrying legally, and shot 10 times into the back of the seat where Cruz was sitting.

Judd said that Cruz was hit in the head and the torso. He died from his injuries. Judd added that Pimentel, who allegedly said nothing during the attempted robbery, and MacDonald jumped out of the car and "started making up a story." Pimentel grabbed the drugs, the fake gun, and Cruz's identification and threw them over a nearby fence.

During that time, MacDonald called 911 and told him that he shot someone when they tried to rob him. Judd said in a statement, "At this point in time, it certainly appears even though he was committing a crime by buying a small amount of marijuana, he certainly was the victim of a [planned] robbery by his drug dealer and his drug dealer's buddy."

As of this writing, MacDonald has not been charged with a crime, but an investigation is under way. Pimentel, however, has been charged with second-degree murder and nine other drug-related charges. He is being held without bond.

Judd said, "This is another example of how dangerous illegal drug transactions can be. The drug dealer conspired with his friend to commit a robbery that resulted in his friend's death. Now the drug dealer is going to prison. How did that work out for him?"