A tragic family dispute escalated into deadly gunfire Thursday afternoon at a used car dealership in Southwest Miami-Dade, leaving one man dead and two others — including the gunman — hospitalized in critical condition.
The shooting occurred at Priced Right Motors, located at the intersection of Southwest 73rd Avenue and 45th Street, triggering a swift and massive response from multiple law enforcement agencies.
According to Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz, the shooter — later identified by family members as Roberto Leyva — opened fire after an argument with his half-brother, Eduardo Rivero, the owner and president of the dealership. Rivero was shot and later died at the hospital. A second victim was also injured and remains in stable condition, while the shooter is in critical condition.
“This unfortunate situation is domestic-related and not a random act of violence,” Sheriff Cordero-Stutz said during a Thursday night press conference. “We’re very grateful that there were not more victims and that our deputies were not injured.”
Witnesses described a terrifying and chaotic scene. Carlos Martinez, owner of a neighboring bakery, said his sales manager saw the shooter aiming a handgun at Rivero, who was pleading with him, saying: “Don’t do it. You don’t have to do this.” The suspect reportedly wore a face covering and was seen later brandishing a rifle, firing shots toward a deputy and surrounding areas.
A female deputy, unaware at first that it was an active gun situation, arrived on scene just as the shooter pointed his weapon at her. Moments later, gunfire erupted — first at the dealership owner, then towards law enforcement.
Witness Lidia Amoretti-Morgado, who was dropping her daughter off for cheer practice nearby, said the shooting was relentless: “It was non-stop. You could hear bullets flying. I didn’t know if I should get out or stay in the car. It just kept going.”
Footage captured by Chopper 6 showed a dramatic law enforcement response. Deputies in tactical gear were seen with shields and rifles, evacuating businesses, taking cover, and advancing on the scene. One individual was spotted lying in a pool of blood, and several people were evacuated with hands in the air.
Two weapons — a pistol and a rifle — were recovered at the scene. Because deputies fired their weapons during the incident, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement will conduct an independent investigation, as per protocol in police-involved shootings.
This devastating incident has left a family shattered and a community in mourning. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with video footage or additional information to come forward.