MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – A 24-year-old man faces multiple charges after he allegedly shot an unsuspecting victim in the face in Miami Beach and fled the scene. According to police, it was completely random.
The shooting occurred on Wednesday at around 12:45 a.m. in the 6300 block of the beach, not far from the Casablanca on the Ocean hotel.
“There were two males and two females out on the beach in each other’s company when they observed a Hispanic, Black male subject wearing all black clothing to include a black hoodie. He was walking along the beach, made eye contact with the victim in this case and without any provocation, the subject fired one shot which struck the victim in the face,” Miami Beach police spokesman Ernesto Rodriguez said.
An arrest report says the suspect, ”...Walked behind them while they sat on the beach, and, without provocation, shot at them, striking victim Russell Alexander in the face.”
Rodriguez says the suspect then fled south on the beach. At the time of the shooting, numerous people who had been on the beach around the suspect had feared for their lives.
Miami Beach Fire Rescue personnel rushed 20-year-old victim Russell Alexander to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center in stable condition.
Alexander was shot in the mouth, but has since been released from the hospital. However, he is still recovering. Police say is a tourist who had been visiting Miami Beach on vacation.
The suspect was later identified as Rayner Javier Rosario Guerrero. He was located by authorities Wednesday afternoon and confessed to the shooting, police said.
According to Miami Beach police, Guerrero was arrested on one count of attempted murder and three counts of aggravated assault with a firearm.
Per Guerrero’s arrest report, investigators located a duffel bag about 200 feet from the shooting scene that contained personal items, a receipt for a gun with Guerrero’s name on it, ammunition for the gun, a loaded magazine and Guerrero’s ID.
A shell casing found at the scene of the shooting matched the rounds found inside the duffel bag, the report stated.
On Thursday, Guerrero faced a judge in a bond court hearing and needed a Spanish interpreter. In court, he said he was defending himself. However, witnesses dispute that, and say he shot the victim at random.
Guerrero claims to be homeless. However, he possessed a gun. Now, he faces multiple charges, including attempted murder and aggravated assault with a firearm.
“I’ve evaluated the case, you’ll be held without bond, and you’ll see your division judge in a few weeks,” announced the judge.
He is now being held without bond.