Windermere man accused of carrying out jealousy-fueled murder plot

A Windermere man faces a first-degree murder charge after he allegedly shot and killed a Deltona man Tuesday, Feb. 27, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.

Gregory Bender, 50, is accused of carrying out a detailed, jealousy-fueled murder plot in the shooting death of 25-year-old Patrick De La Cerda of Deltona. He was booked into the Orange County Jail on Thursday, according to a news release from VCSO.

Detectives searched Bender’s Windermere home and discovered several firearms, ammunition that matched the ammunition found at the crime scene and a notebook containing a detailed plan to kill De La Cerda, the release states.

Deputies reported De La Cerda was found dead of a gunshot wound on the floor of his home Tuesday morning. Bender was allegedly jealous of De La Cerda and the woman he was dating and was accused of threatening the couple in the past.

De La Cerda’s girlfriend reportedly was granted an injunction for protection against Bender in December 2017. Although De La Cerda was not granted an injunction, he “ set up security measures around (his) property, including a gate and surveillance cameras,” the release states.

“De La Cerda’s girlfriend told detectives she received phone calls from Bender while she was at work Tuesday morning,” deputies said. “She didn’t answer, but became concerned and tried to call De La Cerda, who didn’t answer. She left work to check on him. When she got to his home, he’d already been shot and killed.”

Additionally, De La Cerda’s father reportedly received a phone call Tuesday from a male caller using an unknown number. The caller said he was outside the gate of their residence to deliver a package to De La Cerda, according to the release. 

“The father tried to contact De La Cerda to let him know, but never heard back,” deputies said. “The father said he had previously heard a voicemail recording of Bender’s voice, and he believes the male caller on Tuesday was Bender.”

The plan allegedly found in Bender’s home reportedly mentioned using “package delivery and opening the gate” to De La Cerda’s home, according to the release.