Stay Connected: RSS | Email Alerts | Mobile & iPhone
Set Text Size SmallSet Text Size MediumSet Text Size LargeSet Text Size X-Large

Rangel denied bail Saturday

Reported by: Carson Chambers
Email: cchambers@wfts.com
Reported by: Bill Logan
Last Update: 12/07/2008 10:15 am
Video Click the play button on the video window to see the report

PLANT CITY, FL -- One man is dead and a suspected killer is in custody after a massive manhunt in Plant City.

According the reports, Fransisco Rangel fled in a white Ford Expedition after a detective drove by the address he was suspected to be at.

Rangel fired shots from an AK-47 as he attempted to escape, driving down back roads in the Plant City area. Once on James Redman Parkway, he slammed on his brakes and exited his vehicle, firing 17-20 shots at detectives. Bullets hit three officers vehicles, disabling two.

A passenger in a nearby Volkswagon Jetta was hit by a bullet and later died at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. Plant City police identified the passenger as 58-year-old Candelario Lagunes.

None of the five deputies that were involved in the shootout were injured.

Up to 250 officers took place in the search which covered a large portion of downtown Plant City.

The manhunt resulted in 15 schools and a number of buildings being locked down.

Rangel, 25, is suspected in the murder of Michael Longoria and attempted murder of another.

Investigators say 36-year-old Michael James Longoria was shot and killed and another man was shot and taken to South Florida Baptist Hospital by a friend, where he is currently in guarded condition. 

Rangel has a long wrap sheet, including two arrests by federal authorities for alien smuggling and transportation of illegal aliens.

Today, Rangel was denied bail and charged with felony 1st degree murder, 5 counts of attempted 1st degree murder of law enforcement, 4 counts of shooting at/within or into a vehicle, murder in the 2nd degree and attempted murder 1st degree.

Are you in Plant City? Share your experience by clicking the "Add a Comment" button below.
More Tampa Bay News
Lawyer:Office shooting suspect mentally ill
Jason Rodriguez, 40, was ordered held without bail at the Orange County Jail, where he is under suicide watch after Friday's shooting. Video Watch Video
Tampa restaurant damaged by fire
Firefighters found heavy smoke coming from the room of Pollos Pucalor, located at 7212 North Armenia Avenue.
Ida spurs tropical storm warnings in Caribbean
Ida rapidly gained strength over Caribbean waters, and the storm could start affecting the U.S. Gulf Coast by Tuesday.
CRITICAL CONDITION:House vote on healthcare bill could come tonight
Democrats maneuvered a massive overhaul of the nation's health care system toward a make-or-break vote in the House on Saturday.
Man faces child porn charges
Officers say a routine investigation led them to the photos.


Accu-Weather Forecast
Pilots converge on Tampa Bay
Pilots converge on Tampa Bay
Orlando office shooting update
Reporter Steve Barrett has the latest on yesterday's shooting
  This site is hosted and managed by Inergize Digital.