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'A Stray Bullet Hit My Dad'

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By SAMARA SODOS and JOSH POLTILOVE

slsodos@wfla.com jpoltilove@tampatrib.com

Published: December 6, 2008

PLANT CITY - They were on their way to get money from an ATM when it happened.

Henry Lagunes and his father, Candelario, 58, were in their car at a stoplight about 9:15 a.m. Friday when they saw police chasing an SUV. The vehicles stopped, and a man and officers got out of their vehicles. Then Henry Lagunes heard gunfire.

Henry told his father there were bullets. Moments later, "I heard the back windshield pop and crack and a stray bullet hit my dad."

The bullet hit Candelario Lagunes in the head. He was rushed to Lakeland Regional Medical Center, where he died.

Candelario Lagunes was the only person hit by gunfire Friday morning during the shootout. Hillsborough County sheriff's officials said the man they were chasing, 25-year-old Fransisco Rangel, fired more than 20 shots at deputies from an AK-47. Deputies shot an unknown number of bullets in return.

Henry Lagunes said his father came to the United States from Mexico 16 years ago. He was proud to be here and believed in working hard and treating family with love and respect, his son said. Candelario Lagunes leaves behind three children and a wife of 33 years.

When his father was shot, Henry Lagunes' first instinct wasn't to duck. It was to seek revenge against the person who harmed his dad.

Lagunes turned his car around and started to drive at Rangel, he said.
Deputies waved at him to stop, and he realized that crashing into Rangel might cause his father even more harm.

In an interview after his father's death, Lagunes said life is fragile. He said he feels compassion for Rangel and that he is sorry Rangel's family has had to face this ordeal.

Reporter Samara Sodos can be reached at (813) 314-5379. Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at (813) 259-7691.

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