SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - A South Florida man accused of fatally shooting a AAA cotractor is behind bars.
Sixty-three-year-old Jesus Albert Esquivel, a disabled Navy veteran, faced a judge, Wednesday, and was charged with second-degree murder with a deadly weapon.
According to Miami-Dade Police, the situation began Tuesday afternoon, when Esquivel called AAA for assistance with a malfunctioning car battery. The responding technician called Esquivel to inform him of a time delay, which caused Esquivel to become irate, police said.
Detectives said the technician contacted AAA and asked to be removed from the call after being verbally threatened by Esquivel. That’s when the victim, 38-year-old Magdiel Hernandez, a contractor hired by AAA, was assigned to the call and responded to Esquivel’s residence along Southwest 99th Street and 87th Court.
Upon his arrival, Hernandez was confronted by Esquivel, who proceeded to shoot him several times.
Hernandez suffered multiple shots to his torso and was pronounced dead on the scene. “It’s unbelievable, you know,” said Hernandez’s uncle, Roberto Flavio. “He’s a very good guy, good service-minded individual that’s been working and doing this for years. I can’t believe. I’m in shock.”
Police said Esquivel had to be tased after being uncooperative with officers when they arrived at the scene. He then requested to be transported to the hospital for medical care before his booking and bond court appearance.
Esquivel was later discharged from the hospital and questioned by homicide investigators at which point he admitted to shooting Hernandez.
Esquivel was transported to Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, where he is being held without bond.
After his arrest, police conducted a search throughout Esquivel’s home, where the Miami-Dade Police Department bomb squad found novelty grenades which were dismantled as a safety precaution.
Fabian Reyes, who knew Esquivel, said he’s seen this behavior from him before. He said that the accused shooter previously threatened his life in October 2015 during a conversation over money that was owed.
Reyes said that Esquivel went so far as to pistol whip him twice, including once in the head. He told 7News that he knew Esquivel was going to kill someone one way or another because “he is very crazy.”
AAA released a statement that read, “We are profoundly saddened by this tragic incident that took place today. On behalf of all of us at AAA, our heartfelt condolences go out to the victim’s family and friends during this most difficult time.”
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