HIALEAH, FLA. (WSVN) - A heated dispute over parking turned violent in a Hialeah neighborhood when, police said, a 66-year-old man armed himself with a firearm and shot his 18-year-old neighbor.
Hialeah Police units responded to the 5100 block of East Eighth Lane, at around 7:15 p.m., Tuesday.
Responding officers arrived to where they find the suspect armed with a firearm. The victim had been transported with a gunshot wound when officers arrived.
“It’s not even on his property; it’s out in the middle of the street,” said Hialeah Police Lt. Eddie Rodriguez.
According to investigators, the conflict between Jorge Arrate Rodriguez and the younger neighbor arose over vehicles parked on the grass on East Eighth Lane and the suspect disrespecting the victim’s sister. That argument escalated when Arrate Rodriguez pulled out a gun and shot the teen in the arm and chest.
The arrest report states the victim’s sister rendered aid to her brother. Arrate Rodriguez also pointed the gun to the sister but didn’t shoot.
The 18-year-old was taken to Hialeah Hospital by his sister before he was airlifted to Ryder Trauma Center, according to police.
Neighbors said they heard two shots and screaming.
“Bam. Bam. Dos tiros (two shots),” said a neighbor.
“I heard a lady with her kid on top, and she was screaming,” said Carlos Valderrama. “All of a sudden, they start closing the streets. I see cops coming from everywhere.”
Speaking in Spanish, one neighbor said the suspect had no right to shoot the victim over something so insignificant.
As of Wednesday night, the sister said the victim remained in the hospital and was recovering well.
“Thank goodness, it looks like he’s going to survive from his injuries,” said Rodriguez.
Arrate Rodriguez was arrested. He faces charges of second-degree attempted murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
He was taken to Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in West Miami-Dade following the incident.
Arrate Rodriguez appeared in court on Wednesday and remains in jail with no bond.
The victim’s mother had harsh words for the suspect in court, urging the judge to deny bond because, “This person has no right to shoot someone because of a parking space.”
The victim’s family, who is by the victim’s side at the hospital, are thanking God that their son is alive.
The judge also ordered Arrate Rodriguez to stay away from the victim and his family.
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