Authorities have located the body of a woman believed to be the victim of a carjacking in central Florida, which was captured on camera moments after she called her husband to report being followed.
Katherine Altagracia Guerrero De Aguasvivas, 31, was stopped at a red light in Seminole County when a gunman forcibly entered her white Dodge Durango.
Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma described the gunman as wearing a black hoodie and a ski mask, carrying what appeared to be an automatic handgun.
Officials suspect the gunman had emerged from a green Acura parked directly behind De Aguasvivas’ vehicle, as stated by Lemma in a press conference on Friday.
Video footage from a bystander captured the gunman aiming the weapon at the driver’s side of De Aguasvivas’ car before getting into the back seat.
After the traffic light changed, De Aguasvivas made a U-turn, followed by the Acura.
“Speculating, she made a U-turn at that intersection, possibly heading in a direction the suspect did not want them to go. We believe he then instructed her to turn back towards the intersection,” stated the sheriff to reporters.
De Aguasvivas then drove towards a construction area where authorities suspect the suspects were familiar. Approximately an hour and 45 minutes later, deputies were alerted to a vehicle fire in the vicinity.
Lemma mentioned that the car was severely damaged, making positive identification impossible. However, a body was discovered inside, believed to be De Aguasvivas, pending confirmation through DNA and dental records.
Twelve shell casings were found at the scene, indicating gunshots were fired.
Lemma informed reporters that this was not a random incident, and the suspects were familiar with their target.
Prior to the carjacking, De Aguasvivas had informed her husband about being followed after her vehicle was hit from behind. Despite the advice to not stop and call 911, neither party contacted emergency services.
Investigators suspect De Aguasvivas, a resident of Homestead in Miami-Dade County, arrived in Seminole County after noon on Thursday. She briefly stopped at a Shell gas station before continuing her journey.
Lemma mentioned that her husband claimed she was visiting family in central Florida, although no relatives in the area were known to law enforcement.
De Aguasvivas and her husband are involved in a barber shop and beauty salon business, with no prior criminal history in the United States.
Detectives are still searching for the Acura and urge anyone with information to contact the sheriff’s office.