Man found guilty of killing Orange County college student

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A man was found guilty of first-degree murder Thursday in the killing of an Orange County college student during a robbery.

Michael Ault was shot to death nearly two years ago.

Prosecutors said JonPaul Gonzalez and Eddie Viteri-Perez set Ault up and tried to rob him. But, when the robbery failed, Gonzalez shot Ault in the chest and killed him, prosecutors said.

Text messages show Gonzalez and Perez planned to rob Ault and a friend. But, when Ault fought back, Gonzalez shot him, slashed his tires, and then left.

Gonzalez was sentenced to life in prison.

Investigators said Ault was a "good kid," who like many others, was trying to buy some pot.

"I will fight for my son. I will fight for justice. I will fight every day of my life, until these men are brought to the penal system," said Ault's mother, Jennifer Gramzinski.

Gramzinski said the last time she saw her son alive was on his 21 first birthday.

"He died fighting to save the life of he and his friend, and we will fight for him until the end," said Gramzinski.

"It's a relief to know the justice system worked," Gramzinski said.

Authorities said Gonzalez was caught in Puerto Rico and confessed to detectives.

"My son was brilliant. He was a college student. He was highly intelligent," said Gramzinski.

Deputies said Perez remains at large and may have fled the country.

"When JonPaul Gonzalez and Eddie Viteri-Perez put a hole through my son's heart, they also put a hole in my heart," said Gramzinski.

There is a $10,000 reward for information leading to Perez's capture.

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Detectives identify man shot, killed in east Orange County

WFTV