Alec Emilio Hammers, a 22-year-old man from Apopka, FL, was tragically shot and killed on February 8, 2019. The incident occurred during a drug deal that turned into a robbery. Hammers and a friend went to a home on South Ocean Avenue to sell cannabis to Rafael Ian Rojas, a 19-year-old man. The friend had previously engaged in drug transactions with Rojas, but this time, Rojas insisted they come inside the house, which was unusual compared to their previous dealings.
Inside the house, the atmosphere was tense, with several unknown individuals present, some of whom were armed.
As Hammers and his friend waited for Rojas to weigh the cannabis, one of the men in the house suddenly attacked the friend, hitting him in the eye with a gun and demanding everything he had. The friend tried to escape but was shot in the leg during the struggle. Meanwhile, Hammers attempted to grab the cannabis and flee but was attacked and subsequently shot multiple times. He was found unresponsive on the front porch and was pronounced dead at the scene, having suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head. His friend survived and was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
The investigation revealed that Rojas had set up the drug deal with the intention of robbing Hammers and his friend. Rojas was later identified in a photo lineup and charged with principal to robbery with a firearm and felony first-degree murder. The case highlighted the dangers associated with illegal drug transactions and the tragic consequences that can arise from such activities. The community of Apopka was left in shock and mourning the loss of a young life cut short by violence.
