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Teen who shot, killed man in Palm Beach County wins ‘Stand Your Ground’ defense

By Meghan McRoberts
Luis Resendizgama was 16 when Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office investigators say he shot and killed 33-year-old William Difonzo Jr.

Now, the teen is free of criminal charges following a rare “Stand Your Ground” ruling.

The case hinged on the key questions: Where exactly did the shooting occur? Could Resendizgama have retreated, or was shooting his only option to survive?

Teen who shot, killed man in Palm Beach County wins ‘Stand Your Ground’ defense

A judge ruled in favor of the defense but noted the case is troubling and largely speculative. The state, the judge said, failed to prove Resendizgama wasn’t acting in self-defense. There was no surveillance video or reliable eyewitnesses.

“When there’s no witnesses, the state has the burden of proof in any case,” said Resendizgama’s attorney, Alan Saladrigas.

On March 31, 2023, Resendizgama and Difonzo met at the Meadowbrook Mobile Home Community. Phone records showed they spoke about an hour before the meeting — a detail Saladrigas said suggests a planned encounter. Resendizgama entered the passenger seat of Difonzo’s Chevy Tahoe.

Under Florida law, Stand Your Ground can apply if the person has permission to be where the shooting happened — even if it’s not their property.

At some point in the SUV, a fight broke out. Luis was left bloodied, and signs of strangulation were evident. Saladrigas said his client’s blood was found on Difonzo’s knuckle and inside the car.

Saladrigas argued that Luis possibly grabbed Difonzo’s gun attached to a magnet under the steering wheel and shot Difonzo while both were still inside.

“Mr. Resendizgama fired in self-defense from inside the vehicle, while in Mr. Difonzo’s grasp and on the receiving end of a physical beating,” Saladrigas wrote in court filings.

Saladrigas also said a medical examiner confirmed the shooting likely occurred at close range, between six inches and two feet. Resendizgama fled and was arrested weeks later.

At his home, detectives found a handwritten note describing the encounter. In it, Resendizgama wrote he was scared for his life and didn’t think he’d see his family again.

Saladrigas pointed to physical evidence suggesting the shooting happened inside the SUV — including shell casings found inside the vehicle.

The state challenged the handwritten note, citing inconsistencies, including the wrong date of the shooting.

Difonzo had a violent history. In 2018, he won his own Stand Your Ground case after fatally punching someone outside a Lake Worth bar — a fact Saladrigas said was relevant to Resendizgama’s fear.

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Another article of Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law. Also if there’s one side of the story make sure it’s yours.

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