Shocking moment ripped Miami male model, 32, clubs a panhandler to death using a fish bat after refusing to give him money
- Hivo Gonzalez, 32, was filmed chasing Pedro Cruz and beating him with a bat
- The attack happened at June at a gas station in Miami late at night
- Gonzalez got into an argument with Cruz who had asked him for money
- He hit him twice in the head with a fish bat then drove away with his friend
- He was arrested for second degree murder the next day and now faces a minimum of 10 years behind bars if convicted
A ripped Miami model has been filmed clubbing a panhandler to death with a fish bat after refusing to give him money at a gas station.
Hivo Gonzalez, 32, has been charged with second degree murder for attacking Pedro Cruz at a gas station in Miami in June.
Cruz had asked the man for money and the pair began arguing when he refused.
As Cruz stood to the side of his pick-up truck shouting at him and his friend, Gonzalez retrieved the small bat from the front seat and chased him with it.
The argument began with Hivo Gonzalez standing by his car and panhandler Pedro Cruz further away
After arguing by the car, he retrieved his bat and chased Cruz then hit him with it
Gonzalez chased Cruz down and hit him in the head a second time, delivering the fatal blow
After hitting him, Gonzalez left Cruz lying motionless on the ground and ran back to his car
He hit him once then carried on running after him before delivering a second, fatal blow.
Gonzalez then sprinted back to his vehicle and drove away, towing a small boat behind him, leaving Cruz lying motionless on the ground.
The male model was later charged. He claims he feared for his life and thought that Cruz would attack him if he did not move first.
Gonzalez works as a fitness model. His lawyer said he feared for his life and attacked Cruz because he thought he would be hurt if he did not move first
The Miami Herald obtained footage of the incident and published it on Friday.
Gonzalez now faces a minimum of 10 years behind bars if convicted
In court, Gonzalez’s lawyer described him as a non-violent man.
‘This is a really good-natured guy who believed he was put into a life-or-death situation.
‘We are deeply sorry about what happened to Mr. Cruz. The bottom line: Hivo Gonzalez is no killer.’
The police report said that Gonzalez did not render aid did not call 911.
He now faces a minimum of 10 years behind bars if convicted.
Gonzalez is a fitness model but also operates fishing tours in Miami.
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