MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – A violent dispute between cousins ended in gunfire and an arrest in southwest Miami-Dade on Wednesday, authorities confirmed Thursday.
Miami-Dade police said officers were dispatched to the 25000 block of Southwest 139th Avenue following reports of a domestic incident that led to shots being fired at a residence in the area just after 8 p.m.
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Upon arrival, officers located and detained 27-year-old Alex Juarez, who they said was unarmed when he was taken into custody.
The suspect’s cousin stated that he was inside the home, attempting to walk upstairs to his bedroom, when Juarez, exited a bedroom located at the end of the staircase and confronted him in an aggressive and threatening manner, according to an arrest report.
The victim told police that Juarez got in his face as if he wanted to fight, saying, “I know how you are,” in Spanish.
The victim said he attempted to de-escalate the situation, stating that he did not want to argue or fight, but the confrontation quickly became physical when police said Juarez punched him multiple times in his face and body.
During the struggle, police said the victim noticed a handgun fall from Juarez’s waistband to the floor.
Fearing for his safety, the victim grabbed the gun in an attempt to protect himself and remove the weapon from the heated situation, investigators said. He told police that he tried to flee the residence with the gun, but as he exited the front door, he heard a gunshot from inside the house.
Police said gunfire caused the victim to immediately call 911, as he feared that he was going to die.
As officers conducted a security sweep of the residence, they located two guns on a bed in the southwest corner bedroom of the residence.
The guns were cleared and secured to ensure safety at the scene, the report stated.
Authorities also noticed ballistic damage to an interior wall, consistent with the gunshot that the victim had heard. However, police said the bullet did not penetrate through the wall into the adjoining structure, and no individuals were struck by the round.
Juarez’s arrest report states that he made a confession which was redacted from his arrest report.
According to jail records, he is facing one count each of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, shooting or throwing a deadly missile and battery.
As of Thursday, Juarez is being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, where his bond has not been determined.