Miami, FL – A Florida woman celebrating her 75th birthday at a family gathering was shot along with her son and a 26-year-old patron by an angry neighbor who was looking for someone he believed had offended him. The shooting unfolded early Friday morning in Miami, according to police.
The Incident: Angry Neighbor Opens Fire at Birthday Celebration
The attack took place around 1 a.m. when Angelo Garcia, 38, allegedly went to the residence where the birthday party was being held and questioned one of the victims about the whereabouts of the person who had supposedly offended him. According to the arrest report, Garcia asked, “Where is the person who offended me?” before opening fire.
The victim he allegedly approached responded that the person was not at the party and was instead in Cuba.
Surveillance footage from the party’s front yard shows Garcia speaking with the victims before he drew a gun and fired at them. The birthday honoree reported that before shooting, Garcia had been throwing rocks at people’s cars in the neighborhood.
Investigation and Evidence: Shooting Caught on Camera
Witnesses and surveillance video played a crucial role in identifying Garcia as the shooter. The video shows Garcia speaking with the victims in the yard, followed by the violent outburst. Police say Garcia shot the woman, her 53-year-old son, and a 26-year-old man during the incident. All three victims were transported to a local hospital, with the 26-year-old in serious condition, and both the woman and her son were in serious but stable condition.
Despite the severity of the shooting, all three victims survived.
Garcia Flees and Later Captured
After the shooting, Garcia allegedly fled the scene. Police began a manhunt for the suspect, and by early Saturday morning, local SWAT teams located Garcia holed up in a room at The Comfort Suites Miami-Kendall hotel. Officers busted down the door and took Garcia into custody.
One hotel patron, Tito Polaco, described hearing the sound of multiple gunshots just before Garcia’s arrest. “It was almost 2 a.m.,” Polaco recalled. “I was in bed watching TV and then I heard those six or seven ‘BOOMs.’”
Community Shock and Reaction
The shooting has left the neighborhood in shock, with neighbors expressing disbelief that such a violent incident occurred in what they describe as a peaceful, good area.
“Nothing like this has ever happened here before. It’s a good area,” said neighbor Alfredo Cruz.
“I have never seen anything like this,” said Carla Perez Miranda, another neighbor, who heard the shots and a woman screaming, “You killed them!” in Spanish.
Legal Proceedings and Charges Against Garcia
Garcia now faces multiple serious charges, including:
- Four counts of second-degree attempted murder or aggravated battery with a deadly weapon
- Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
- Displaying a firearm while committing a felony
- Unlawful discharge of a firearm in a residential property
Garcia was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in Miami-Dade County over the weekend, where he is currently being held without bond. His trial is expected to take place in the coming months.
Conclusion: Unsettling Incident Raises Concerns
The shocking incident at a 75th birthday celebration has left many in the Miami community grappling with the violence that unfolded in their normally tranquil neighborhood. As Garcia faces the legal consequences for his actions, the victims and their families continue to recover from the violent and unexpected attack.
What are your thoughts on this disturbing incident? Share your opinions in the comments below.
