MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – A North Miami man faces a second-degree murder charge after police say he shot and killed an employee at a South Beach hotel overnight after the suspect attempted to sneak into the hotel’s nightclub.
Officer Ernesto Rodriguez, a spokesperson for Miami Beach police, said officers responded to a call of a shooting at the Clevelander Hotel at 1020 Ocean Drive just after midnight Friday.
Rodriguez said officers found Clevelander employee Dion David Moore, 50, of Miami Beach, shot more than six times. He was transported to Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
According to a police report, Brandon Kortez Burris, 29, tried to sneak into the Clevelander’s nightclub via the front lobby and was approached by Moore, who was assigned to work the front desk, after several failed attempts to get in. The report said Moore asked Burris to leave, which led to an argument.
Burris then threw a punch at Moore and missed, police said. The report said after Moore walked away, Burris pulled out a pistol from his waistband and fired several shots at Moore, who collapsed.
Police said Burris fled the scene. The report said officers arrested him a short time later after two witnesses identified him as the shooter.
Police said they found a gun, without a magazine, on Burris’ waistband.
Clevelander Hotel management released a statement regarding the shooting Friday afternoon.
“We are devastated about the tragedy that occurred in the lobby of the Clevelander Hotel at approximately midnight on Thursday evening,” the statement said. “One of our valued employees needlessly lost his life.”
The statement went on to say that management was “fully cooperating” with Miami Beach police.
“Our top priority is the safety and wellness of all guests and employees at the Clevelander Hotel,” it said.