Gang-Related Shooting Death Sparks Manhunt

LAKELAND, FL — The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is asking for help catching a 29-year-old man wanted in connection with a July 3 triple shooting that left a 17-year-old boy dead. The boy, deputies say, was inside a Tennessee Road home at the time and was not party to a dispute that erupted between members of two rival gangs.

A warrant for John Lugo’s arrest on possession of a firearm by a convicted felon was announced on July 4. On Friday, authorities announced an additional warrant. Lugo now also faces a manslaughter with a weapon charge. Authorities say Lugo is a member of Norte 14.

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The sheriff’s office on July 7 also announced that an additional charge of manslaughter with a weapon had been filed against Dario Trejo, 18. Trejo, who authorities say is a member of Sur 13, was arrested after the shooting that left Jake Castillo dead. Initial charges against Trejo included seven counts of possession of Alprazolam, possession of paraphernalia and tampering with evidence. The new manslaughter charged was levied on Trejo while he remained in custody at the Polk County Jail, authorities said.

The incident that led to the manhunt for Lugo and the arrest of Trejo reportedly began at a gas station during the daytime hours of July 3. Trejo and Lugo got into an argument at that time. Later that day, Trejo is accused of picking up Christopher Garcia and Jose Tinoco in his Cadillac. The trio drove along Tennessee Road where Lugo had been living for about four months, the agency said.

“Trejo told his friends that someone had ‘tried him’ at the gas station, and they were going to look for him,” the email said. When Trejo’s Cadillac approached the house in the 2600 block of Tennessee Road where Lugo was staying, deputies say he saw the vehicle drive by, turn around and come back.

Lugo, the email said, fired a shotgun at the Cadillac and struck Tinoco in the face and Trejo in the arm. Trejo, authorities say, fired back. His shot missed Lugo, entered the home and killed Castillo, who was inside at the time.

The case has Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd warning parents about the dangers of gangs.

“These two rival gang members, while shooting at each other, ended up killing a 17-year-old,” Judd said in a Friday statement. “Parents, don't let your kids become affiliated with gang members. Get in their business, and make it your business to keep them from hanging out with gang members. The mere affiliation with someone involved in a gang can mean the difference between life and death."

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of John Lugo is asked to call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 800-226-TIPS or go online to www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com.

“If you know where John Lugo is, we need to get him off the street,” Judd said. “He is a very dangerous individual.”

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Previous booking photo of John Lugo courtesy of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office