Seventeen-year-old Hispanic female Sofia Tellez Lugo was found dead from a gunshot wound on December 10, 2023, in a bedroom at a residence on NW 111th Court in Ocala, Florida. The home belonged to the family of her boyfriend, 21-year-old Saul Garcia Macias. Sofia’s body had a close-contact gunshot wound beneath her chin, and a freshly inked tattoo of the name Saul was observed on her right arm.

Saul Garcia Macias fled the scene immediately after Sofia’s death and was identified as a person of interest. He contacted the Marion County Sheriff’s Office 17 days later, claiming to have been lost in the woods and alleging masked intruders killed Sofia while he was in the bathroom. Investigators reported inconsistencies in his account, noted clean clothing and footwear that did not match surveillance from the day after the shooting, and—based on witness statements and collected evidence—arrested him and charged him with second-degree murder; he is being held without bond. Authorities also noted concerns about his immigration status and a history of fleeing law enforcement. Sofia’s family and community held a candlelight vigil; family described her as a vibrant, creative young woman who wanted to become a tattoo artist and are seeking justice.

Did anyone in the Ocala area see Sofia or Saul around December 10, 2023, or have information about what happened that night?