Shooting Outside Miami Beach Bakery Leaves Two Injured
One person is in custody in connection with a shooting Monday night just outside a Miami Beach bakery that left two people injured.
Mónica Santos-González, a 37-year-old native of Puerto Rico, triggered a violent incident on Monday in the 7300 block of Collins Avenue. The shooting resulted in Ricardo Briones sustaining a gunshot wound to his left leg and Cindy Small suffering a right thigh injury.
According to the police, the shooting took place around 6:52 p.m. on Monday. Officers responded to the scene and found two victims with apparent gunshot wounds in close proximity. Both injured individuals were promptly transported to medical units for treatment.
Santos-González is also accused of firing shots at an SUV with multiple occupants. Fortunately, no one in the vehicle was harmed, although the rear window was shattered. Police believe the incident was not a targeted attack.
While in custody, Santos-González spontaneously exclaimed, “They killed my family.”
A black Glock 19 semi-automatic firearm, reported stolen from Fort Lauderdale in April, was recovered at the scene.
According to the arrest report, Santos-González, who was homeless, had a history of drug charges.
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He now faces multiple charges, including attempted second-degree murder, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, grand theft of a firearm, public discharge of a firearm, firing or launching of a deadly missile, and exhibition of a firearm while committing a felony.
Witnesses Describe the Terrifying Shooting Incident
Witnesses recounted the events leading up to the shooting, shedding light on the suspect’s behavior prior to the incident. Santos-González had been sitting outside the bakery for hours, exhibiting suspicious behavior, before suddenly opening fire.
Some witnesses believe that without the swift response of the authorities, the situation could have been even more catastrophic. Hector Castillo, who was present at Moisés Bakery in Miami Beach during the shooting, stated, “She fired three bursts of five or six shots, injuring a man, but she was shooting at everything that moved.”
Castillo further described how the suspect fired from the bakery’s door, positioning herself outside at a table while shooting outward. Marvelis Rodríguez, an employee at Moisés Bakery, recalled the suspect’s nervous attitude and the sound of multiple gunshots. Rodríguez and others quickly fled the scene and contacted the police.
Castillo also witnessed the suspect injuring a man across the street and shooting at a car with children inside. The suspect was apprehended without resistance by the police. Rodríguez expressed fear and shock at the terrifying incident, emphasizing the impact it had on customers present at the bakery.
Fortunately, the victims’ injuries are not life-threatening, and they are expected to recover. Hector Castillo, who witnessed the entire ordeal, expressed his disbelief and the collective effort made by those present to protect themselves.
Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances that led to this incident. Anyone with information is urged to contact the police at (305) 673 7901.
A shooting outside a bakery in Miami Beach has left two people injured. One person has been taken into custody in connection with the incident. The shooting occurred on Monday evening, resulting in one person being shot in the leg and another suffering a thigh injury. The suspect is also accused of firing shots at an SUV but no one in the vehicle was harmed. A stolen firearm was recovered at the scene. The suspect, who is homeless and has a history of drug charges, has been arrested and now faces multiple charges.
Given the recovered stolen firearm, what measures can be implemented to curb the illegal sale and trafficking of firearms within communities
There are several measures that can be implemented to curb the illegal sale and trafficking of firearms within communities, leveraging the recovered stolen firearm as a starting point. Here are some possible steps:
1. Strengthening law enforcement: Increase funding for law enforcement agencies to enhance their capacity to investigate and combat illegal firearm sales and trafficking. This can involve hiring more officers, establishing specialized units, and providing them with necessary resources and equipment.
2. Collaboration between law enforcement agencies: Enhance communication and coordination among local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to share intelligence, track firearms, and dismantle criminal networks involved in illegal sales and trafficking. Joint task forces and information-sharing platforms can be established to facilitate this collaboration.
3. Improve regulatory measures: Strengthen existing firearm regulations and establish stricter controls on the legal sale and ownership of firearms. This can include implementing and enforcing thorough background checks on purchasers, reducing the availability of high-capacity magazines, and closing loopholes in existing laws.
4. Mandatory reporting: Require mandatory reporting of lost or stolen firearms to law enforcement within a specified timeframe. This will help to identify and trace the movement of firearms, facilitating investigations and preventing them from being easily diverted to the illegal market.
5. Firearm tracking and marking: Advocate for the implementation of serialization and marking requirements for firearms, making it easier to trace their origin and movement. This can involve registering firearms at the point of sale, including unique identifiers, and establishing a centralized database to track them throughout their lifecycle.
6. Public education and awareness: Launch community-driven campaigns to educate the public about the dangers of illegal firearm sales and trafficking, while highlighting the benefits of responsible firearm ownership. This can involve partnering with local organizations, schools, and media outlets to raise awareness and encourage responsible reporting of suspicious activities.
7. Support firearm buyback programs: Offer voluntary firearm buyback programs, providing incentives for people to turn in their firearms anonymously. This can help remove firearms from circulation and reduce the availability of weapons in the illegal market.
8. Strengthen international cooperation: Collaborate with international partners to combat transnational firearms trafficking. This can involve sharing intelligence, coordinating operations, and implementing joint initiatives to disrupt smuggling routes and dismantle criminal networks operating across borders.
9. Community engagement and support: Foster positive community relationships and support initiatives that target the root causes of firearm violence, such as poverty, unemployment, and lack of access to education and healthcare. By addressing these underlying factors, communities can reduce the demand for illegal firearms.
10. Continuous evaluation and improvement: Regularly assess the effectiveness of implemented measures and make necessary adjustments based on the evolving nature of illegal firearm sales and trafficking. This can involve conducting research, gathering feedback from law enforcement agencies and affected communities, and implementing evidence-based strategies.
These measures require a multi-faceted approach and the cooperation of various stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies, policymakers, community organizations, and the public. By implementing such measures, communities can work towards curbing the illegal sale and trafficking of firearms, promoting safety, and reducing the risk of firearm-related violence.
4 comments
It’s disheartening to hear about yet another shooting incident. Hoping for a swift recovery for the injured and justice for those affected.
This incident is yet another reminder of the need for stronger gun control measures to ensure the safety of innocent individuals in public spaces. Hoping for a speedy recovery for the victims and justice to be served.
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