Search continues for missing UF student

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WSVN) -- Officers from around the state are stepping up the search for the University of Florida student who went missing a week ago.

Police are calling it a rescue mission and still believe that Christian Aguilar could still be alive somewhere in the woods.

Doral Police Department Officer Orlando Saavedra is not giving up. Saavedra and his K-9 Max drove to Gainesville to help in the search for Aguilar. "All of us are fathers, and we all have kids, and you try to put your self in that position, and you do what you can, and you go the extra mile," said Saavedra.

The 18-year-old Doral Academy graduate has been missing for seven days. Several officers from South Florida have come to Gainesville to help in the search.

About 200 officers are part of the search. Officers have horses, K-9s and any tools that could help locate the missing teen.

In the meantime, detectives are learning more about their suspect, 18-year-old Pedro Bravo. Police said they know Bravo purchased a shovel and duct tape just days before Aguilar's disappearance.

Bravo's roommate spoke to 7News, but did not want to show his face on camera. "He wasn't here that often. I'd say three or four days out of the week, he wasn't home," said Erik Skipper.

Skipper said Bravo never did anything suspicious. Police have taken bags of evidence from Bravo's bedroom.

According to police, Bravo confessed in beating Aguilar and leaving him somewhere near a wooded area.

Family and friends are holding out hope that Aguilar could still be alive. A group of 20 students from Aguilar's former high school, Doral Academy Charter, left for Gainesville Wednesday night to also join in the search

Detectives believe Bravo knows exactly where Aguilar is, but he's using his right to remain silent.

Bravo only faces a charge of preventing a crime victim from getting medical help. Police say, more charges could come his way.

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