MIAMI – Miami police arrested a man over the weekend who they say shot his cousin four times following a dispute over a parking space.
According to an arrest report from the Miami Police Department, 51-year-old Elder Cruz is facing one count each of attempted murder causing injury with a firearm, grand theft with a firearm and discharging a firearm in an outdoor or residential area.
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Miami police said officers responded to an emergency call about a man shooting a victim around 11 p.m. Saturday at a home near the 2700 block of Southwest 31st Place, just east of Coral Gables Hospital.
Authorities said upon their arrival, they found the victim suffering from gunshot wounds.
Cruz, who is also the victim’s cousin and roommate, was present at the scene at the time that police officers responded to the shooting call, according to the report.
Police said the argument started over a parking space after the victim told Cruz to move his vehicle, which led to an argument.
An arrest report states Cruz and the victim were arguing about parking spaces when the victim asked Cruz to move his vehicle.
Police said Cruz told the victim he had nowhere else to park and was going to leave it there.
That’s when the victim then told Cruz “he didn’t know why he was acting tough when his wife ran the house,” the report stated.
Authorities said at some point during the argument, Cruz pulled out a Glock 19, pointed it at the victim’s neck, and asked in Spanish, “Do you want to see what kind of man I am?” the report stated.
Salinas then pleaded with Cruz, saying, “Don’t do this, you’re going to kill me,” according to investigators.
Moments later police said Cruz then shot Salinas in the wrist, grazing him.
As Salinas tried to flee to his bedroom, Cruz fired three more shots at his cousin’s left thigh, according to the report.
Police said Salinas managed to lock himself in the bedroom, while Cruz threatened to kill him if he didn’t leave the house. At that point, Cruz’s wife called the police.
Salinas was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center, suffering four gunshot wounds, including a graze wound on his right wrist and three entry and exit wounds on his left thigh, according to detectives.
Cruz’s arrest report states he was taken into custody immediately and refused to answer further questions during his interview.
Detectives said the gun used in the incident was reported stolen in 2021 from Palm Beach Gardens.
Jail records show Cruz is being held without bond at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center as of Monday afternoon.