Suspect in Wisconsin Murder of Canadian Golfer Pleads Not Guilty

The suspect in the murder of Canadian golfer Mike Robinson has pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from the incident that shocked the local community. Luis Cruz Burgos, aged 35, faces a count of first-degree reckless homicide for allegedly shooting and killing the 32-year-old Robinson, who was visiting Wisconsin from Ontario for an annual golf trip. The tragic event occurred on September 24, 2023, in Sheboygan Falls, a town located north of Milwaukee.

Robinson, a former Ontario Hockey League player and a new father, was celebrating a personal milestone—a hole-in-one—when the incident took place. According to reports from the Toronto Sun, Robinson and his fellow golfers had been struggling to secure a rideshare to return to their hotel after a night of festivities at the Falls Tavern.

Details of the Incident Unfold

Witness accounts reveal that Robinson and his group attempted to negotiate a ride with Cruz-Burgos, who reportedly initially asked for $60 per person but later claimed he wanted a total of $40. After refusing to pay the amount, the group opted to walk approximately 8 kilometers to their hotel in Kohler.

Cruz-Burgos, whose previous employment included working for DoorDash, was identified by witnesses as the individual involved in the altercation. He later told detectives that there was no financial dispute, but acknowledged that one member of the Canadian group had insulted him.

The entire sequence of events leading to the shooting was captured on closed-circuit television (CCTV). The footage shows Robinson and his companions leaving the bar shortly after midnight, with the shooting occurring just minutes later. At around 12:08 a.m., the black SUV involved in the incident sped away from the scene.

Community Reaction and Legal Consequences

Robinson succumbed to a single gunshot wound at the scene. In a heartfelt statement, his family expressed their gratitude for the prompt action taken by law enforcement and the support from the community. They acknowledged the assistance of local establishments, including the Inn on Woodlake and the Wenig Funeral Home, during this challenging time.

As the case unfolds, Cruz-Burgos faces a potential sentence of up to 60 years in prison if convicted. He has denied any wrongdoing and claimed he was prohibited from possessing firearms due to a court order related to a prior domestic incident in Florida in 2019.

This incident has not only deeply affected Robinson’s family but also the local community, which is rallying around those impacted by this tragedy.