Deputies say shooting death of 15-year-old girl ruled accidental

The shooting death of 15-year-old Melanie Medina has been ruled an accident, and her 16-year-old friend who fired the gun won’t be charged, according to the Orange County Sheriff ’s Office.

Ramsys Cruz Abreu, 22, who was in the car with the girls, has been charged with tampering with physical evidence and may face additional charges, said Lt. Jane Watrel, a Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman.

Deputies said Melanie was killed April 10 while she was riding in a car with Cruz Abreu and the other teen, who has not been named by deputies. According to an arrest report, the three were on their way to Krispy Kreme to get doughnuts, and as they were parking, Cruz Abreu heard a loud bang and saw a flash.

He said he saw Melanie grab her neck and heard her scream, according to the report.

Deputies said Cruz Abreu told them that he put pressure on Medina’s neck as he drove away in a panic. He later realized she had died.

Cruz Abreu and the 16-year-old then drove to Ziegler Road near Orange Blossom Trail, where they dumped Melanie’s body, according to the report.

About 8 a.m. the next day, a passer-by found Melanie’s body and called 911.

Melanie had been an eighthgrader at Corner Lake Middle School before her parents withdrew her days before her death, Orange County Public Schools officials said.

A Crimeline tip led deputies to Cruz Abreu. He was initially arrested April 13 and charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree felony, but the charge was dropped after detectives ruled the shooting accidental.

He is still being held at the Orange County jail on a $1,000 bond.