17-year-old killed in late night shooting

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. – Collier County Sheriff’s Office deputies have charged a 17-year-old Immokalee resident in connection with a shooting Wednesday night that left one teenager dead and another injured.

Meliton Cruz Jr. is charged with second-degree murder with a firearm and attempted second-degree murder with a firearm. The shooting took place shortly after 10 p.m. on the 2300 block of 50th Avenue N.E.

Deputies say Cruz shot the victims as they were sitting in their vehicle.

17-year-old Marcos Aleman died at the scene and the surviving victim, 18-year-old Michael Stallone was able to exit the vehicle and obtain help from nearby residents.

Stallone was able to give the description of Cruz and his car. Stallone was transported to Lee Memorial for treatment.

Deputies found Cruz at the intersection of Camp Keais Road and Immokalee Road and arrested him.

WINK News was there as deputies transported Cruz from the Immokalee substation to juvenile detention.

The sheriff’s office tells WINK News Cruz has no prior arrests.

Meanwhile, many are mourning the loss of Aleman.

“He was a high spirited kid, he was always happy. Every time I was around Marcos, I was in a happy mood, I was never mad,” said Shirley Adan.

Adan has been friends with Aleman since the sixth grade. They both attended Palmetto Ridge High School until Aleman was recently transfered to an alternative school in the Collier County School District.

Adan tells WINK News the mood was somber at school today, after learning her close friend was shot and killed last night.

“I saw some many boys out in class crying, it was really sad, like everyone loved Marcos,” said Adan.