A Florida resident was taken into custody over the weekend following an alleged shooting incident involving his cousin. The dispute, which reportedly centered around a parking space, resulted in the cousin being shot multiple times, according to local law enforcement.
Elder Cruz, 51, is facing charges of attempted felony murder causing injury while armed, grand theft involving a firearm, and discharging a firearm in a recreational or residential area, as per Miami-Dade County court records. The incident took place in the vicinity of Douglas Park and Coral Gables Hospital, close to the Coconut Grove neighborhood.
The shooting reportedly happened late Saturday night. Law enforcement officers were dispatched to a residence on Southwest 31st Place around 11 p.m. following reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, they found a man, identified only as Salinas in the report, suffering from four gunshot wounds.
Salinas, who also happens to be Cruz’s roommate, was shot once in his right wrist and three times in his left thigh. Cruz was still present at the crime scene when the police arrived. The dispute between the two men reportedly started over a parking space. Salinas had asked Cruz to move his vehicle, but Cruz allegedly refused, claiming there was no other place to park.
The argument escalated when Salinas reportedly told Cruz in Spanish that he didn’t understand why Cruz was acting tough when his wife ran the house. Cruz allegedly responded by pulling out a Glock 19 9 mm pistol and pointing it at Salinas’ neck, asking him if he wanted to see what kind of man he was.
Salinas pleaded with Cruz not to shoot, but Cruz allegedly fired a shot that grazed Salinas’ wrist. As Salinas attempted to escape, Cruz allegedly fired three more shots, all of which hit Salinas in the thigh. The gun used in the shooting had reportedly been reported stolen in 2021.
Salinas was immediately taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center for treatment. Cruz was arrested at the scene and is currently being held without bond at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. He has legal representation and has been ordered not to contact Salinas pending trial.