On February 26, 2024, a fatal shooting occurred in Lake City, Florida, resulting in the death of 23-year-old Cristopher Alid Cruz Aleman. The incident took place on NW Ashley Street at approximately 9:51 p.m. when officers from the Lake City Police Department (LCPD) responded to reports of gunfire. Upon arrival, they found Aleman suffering from a gunshot wound, with a witness attempting to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Despite the efforts of the witness and subsequent emergency responders, Aleman succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation into Aleman's death was swift and involved multiple law enforcement agencies, including the LCPD, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office, and special agents from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Early in the investigation, two persons of interest were identified: Justin Torres, 26, of Wellborn, and Kendall Todd Doty, 25, of Lake City. Both suspects were taken into custody without incident.
According to the authorities, the shooting was not a random act of violence; Aleman was the specific target of these two individuals. The collaborative effort of various law enforcement agencies and the State Attorney’s Office was instrumental in the rapid apprehension of the suspects. The Lake City Chief of Police, Gerald Butler, expressed gratitude to the involved agencies and reassured the citizens of Lake City that the incident was not random.
The case highlights the coordinated response and dedication of law enforcement in resolving such tragic incidents promptly. Anyone with additional information regarding the incident was encouraged to contact the LCPD or submit anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers.
