Family seeks answers two years after deadly Ginnie Springs shooting

HIGH SPRINGS, Fla. (WCJB) - A North Central Florida family is marking two years without answers in the deadly shooting death of Marco Mandujano at Ginnie Springs.

Mandujano went to Ginnie Springs with his girlfriend and friends on May 25, 2024. Around 11:30 that night, family members say he was shot in the head and immediately put on life support.

He was declared brain dead on May 27 and taken off life support the next day at 26 years old.

The shooting was the second deadly shooting that weekend at Ginnie Springs.

Investigation stalls after detective retires

Mandujano’s family said they stopped receiving updates on his case once one of the detectives retired. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has assigned new detectives to the case, but the family said they still have not received updates.

Last year, FDLE agents released a document trying to identify several men involved in a fight that broke out at the springs the day Mandujano was shot. There have been no other updates since then.

RELATED: Detectives try to identify persons of interest in Ginnie Springs murder

Through an interpreter, Mandujano’s mother, Sara Mandujano, said grieving his death has not gotten easier. She said Marco loved his family and left behind a young son.

“They get to visit his grave about weekly, and the part that hurts my mom’s soul the worst is that every time they’re about to leave, he says I love you, daddy, and my mom’s heart breaks every time that she has to hear that,” Sara Mandujano said.

The family said they want someone to be held accountable.

“If you were a witness, if you were there, or anything during that awful day, please come forward,” shared Sara Mandujano.

Mandujano’s girlfriend filed a lawsuit against Ginnie Springs for public endangerment and negligence. A hearing is scheduled for next month, with a trial set for April 2027.

“In order to close this chapter, in order for justice to be served, the cycle has to end one way. If there’s anyone out there who knows anything, knows of someone, please urge them to step forward, talk to a detective, it’ll help them solve this case,” said Sara Mandujano.

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