Police: Unable to resolve grudge, Miami Gardens man fatally shoots brother with rifle after putting down knife

Police officers arrested Willyam Martin, 29, for his brother's murder on Tuesday at their home in Miami Gardens. (M-DCR, SKY 10)

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Detectives reported that a year-long feud between brothers ended with one of them dead on Tuesday at the house they shared with family in Miami Gardens.

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Police officers arrested Willyam Martin Tuesday and reported seizing an Onmni Hybrid A-15 rifle that was in his bedroom’s closet and six spent casings that were nearby.

Miami-Dade correctional officers booked Martin, 29, shortly before 4 a.m., on Wednesday, at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, according to county records.

During an argument in the house along Northwest 168th Terrace, witnesses told police officers that both brothers were wielding knives.

Police officers responded to a fatal domestic shooting on Tuesday in Miami Gardens. (Copyright 2025 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.)

“I need some help now,” the victim said frantically during a 911 call, according to a police arrest report.

A witness told police officers Willyam Martin went inside his bedroom and put the knife down, but the victim continued to argue with him, according to the arrest report.

Police officers respond to a residential neighborhood in Miami Gardens. (SKY 10)

Two witnesses reported Willyam Martin had his bedroom door closed when the victim started knocking on the door threatening to send him to jail, police wrote.

A witness who allegedly tried to intervene reported Willyam Martin walked out of the bedroom and asked the victim to “tell the truth!” about the reason for the argument.

A witness reported Willyam Martin went back to his bedroom, closed the door, and then fired at the victim who was standing in the hallway, according to police.

The police arrest report doesn’t disclose why the brothers held a grudge. It does report Willyam Martin showed detectives a video of the argument before the shooting.

Records show correctional officers were holding Willyam Martin without bond on Wednesday afternoon and he also had a pending case for a grand theft vehicle.

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About the Author
Andrea Torres headshot

The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.

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