MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – A suspect was arrested Monday night after allegedly shooting a victim to death inside a Miami Gardens home, police confirmed Wednesday.
Miami Gardens police said officers responded to a report of a shooting at a residence near the 3600 block of Northwest 203rd Street just before 10:30 p.m.
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Authorities said they quickly located the shooting suspect, who they identified as 45-year-old Marvin McDonald, and detained him outside the home.
McDonald reportedly made spontaneous statements to officers, which were recorded on police body camera video; however, his exact comments were redacted in the publicly released report.
While inside the home, police said they found the victim lying on the bathroom floor with apparent gunshot wounds. Despite the efforts of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, the victim was pronounced dead at 10:38 p.m., the report stated.
Authorities said three witnesses, including two residents, were taken to a Miami Gardens police station for interviews.
Police said a neighbor told investigators he was outside the home on the phone when McDonald arrived, appearing intoxicated and holding a nearly empty bottle of alcohol.
The witness said McDonald confronted him about past grievances, stating, “I’m ready to die today,” and accusing those in the home of thinking they were killers, according to investigators.
The witness also told detectives that he saw McDonald enter the residence, leading to a struggle between McDonald and the victim in the living room.
Watching from outside through the open front door, police said the witness observed the victim push McDonald out of the house and shut the door, though it wasn’t locked.
Moments later, McDonald allegedly cocked a gun, re-entered the home and the witness heard multiple gunshots, according to the report.
After taking cover, the witness said he overheard McDonald claiming self-defense, police said. Upon re-entering the home, the witness found the victim unresponsive on the bathroom floor, the report stated.
Another witness, who was in bed with his girlfriend, stated that the victim entered his bedroom, urging the couple to be quiet before shutting the door, police said.
Shortly after the victim left the room, police said the witness heard multiple gunshots. He and his girlfriend remained hidden in the bedroom until the first witness shouted that the victim had been shot.
Police said McDonald was read his Miranda rights and declined to provide a statement, requesting an attorney. Authorities noted a swollen area on the victim’s forehead, though its connection to the shooting remains unclear.
Detectives said a search warrant was executed at the home, leading to the discovery of a .45-caliber semi-automatic handgun on the living room sofa, along with three empty .45-caliber cartridge casings near where the victim was found. Investigators said the weapon and casings were impounded as evidence.
McDonald is being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, facing charges of second-degree murder, illegal possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, and illegal use of a weapon while committing a felony. Bond information has not yet been determined.
Police have not disclosed any details about the victim’s gender, age or identity. The motive for the shooting as well as the relationship between the victim and McDonald remains unclear at this time.