Over the weekend, Miami police detained a guy who they claim shot his cousin four times after they got into a fight over a parking spot. Elder Cruz, 51, is charged with one count each of grand theft with a firearm, attempted murder inflicting injury with a firearm, and firing a handgun in an outdoor or residential area, according to an arrest report from the Miami Police Department.
Around 11 p.m. on Saturday, according to Miami police, officers went to a report of a man shooting a victim at a residence close to the 2700 block of Southwest 31st Place, which is located just east of Coral Gables Hospital.
According to the authorities, the victim was suffering from gunshot wounds when they arrived.
According to the report, Cruz was at the location when police officers arrived in response to the shooting call. Cruz is also the victim’s roommate and cousin.
Authorities claim that when the victim instructed Cruz to relocate his car, there was a dispute about a parking place. Cruz was reportedly fighting with the victim over parking spots when the victim requested that Cruz relocate his car, according to the police report.
Cruz informed the victim that he had nowhere else to park and that he would leave it there, according to the police. The victim then said to Cruz, according to the report, “he didn’t know why he was acting tough when his wife ran the house.”
Cruz allegedly pulled out a Glock 19 during the altercation, pointed it at the victim’s neck, and yelled in Spanish, “Do you want to see what kind of man I am?” according to the complaint from the authorities.
Investigators claim that Salinas then begged Cruz to stop, saying, “Don’t do this, you’re going to kill me.” Salinas was hit by Cruz a few moments later, according to the police, grazing his wrist.
Cruz reportedly fired three more shots at his cousin’s left thigh as Salinas attempted to go to his bedroom.
According to the police, Cruz threatened to kill Salinas if he didn’t leave the house, and Salinas succeeded in locking himself in the bedroom. Cruz’s wife made the police call at that point.
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Detectives said that Salinas was taken to the Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital after sustaining four gunshot wounds, including three entry and exit wounds on his left leg and a graze wound on his right wrist.
According to Cruz’s arrest record, he was placed under arrest right away and declined to answer any more questions during the interrogation. The firearm used in the crime, according to detectives, was reported stolen from Palm Beach Gardens in 2021.
As of Monday afternoon, according to jail records, Cruz was being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center without bond.
