KEY LARGO, FL – A Florida mother is facing serious allegations of assisting her teenage son in evading law enforcement after he reportedly shot another teen during a heated argument over a girl. Cindy Mishelle Paniagua, 37, was arrested and charged as an accessory after the fact, a felony offense, while her 15-year-old son, Jonathan Enrique Valerio Paniagua, is now confronting charges of attempted murder and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, authorities said.
The incident, which happened earlier in March, was described as a violent altercation that Sheriff Rick Ramsay says underscores his zero-tolerance stance on criminal activity, irrespective of the offenders’ age. Officials are still contemplating additional charges against the teenage suspect.
The reports from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office indicate that deputies were dispatched to Key Largo Community Park following a report of gunfire on the night of March 8, 2025. The park, situated in the 500 block of St. Croix Place, was where authorities found evidence linked to the young suspect after hours of searching.
Upon arrival, deputies struggled to locate anyone aware of the shooting. However, shortly afterward, they were informed of a 16-year-old male being treated at Mariners Hospital for a minor gunshot wound to his hand. This teen victim, who also sustained injuries from cell phone shrapnel caused by a bullet, was later flown to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital in Miami for more intensive care.
Crucial evidence linking Jonathan Paniagua to the crime was recovered by the Sheriff’s Office Dive Team, which found a wallet and clothes matching descriptions of those the suspect was seen wearing submerged in a nearby canal.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Cindy Paniagua allegedly collected her son from the scene and facilitated his escape. Authorities claim she actively discouraged others from reporting the incident to police despite knowing the gravity of the situation involving her son allegedly shooting another teenager.
Sheriff Ramsay criticized Mrs. Paniagua’s conduct, describing her actions as setting a poor example for fellow parents and exacerbating the entire situation. In a statement, Ramsay stressed the severe consequences faced by the young suspect and the disappointment in his mother’s decision to assist rather than impede his avoidance of justice.
Following her arrest, Cindy Paniagua was released on a $50,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court for an arraignment in May. The mother and son both reside in Homestead, about 30 miles north of the scene of the crime.
As the case unfolds, law enforcement stresses the importance of community cooperation and the critical role of parental responsibilities in preventing future violence.
