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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.

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