Man shot in face during fight at Hialeah apartment gathering charged with aggravated battery, police say
A man who was shot in the face during a fight at a Hialeah apartment complex Thursday night has been charged with aggravated battery after police determined the shooting happened during a struggle over a gun and that the other man involved acted in self-defense.
Hialeah police said officers responded to 6141 West 22nd Court at approximately 11:46 p.m. on Oct. 29 following reports of a violent altercation involving gunfire and injuries.
Surveillance video captured the moment when gunfire erupted at the apartment complex.
According to investigators, several people had gathered at the residence for a private social event when one of the guests, identified as 42-year-old Jonatan De Jesus Dzul Aguilar, began drinking and behaving aggressively toward female guests.
Police said Aguilar repeatedly grabbed the women and behaved inappropriately toward them, prompting another man, identified as Idalberto Garcia Cardenas, to intervene and demand that he stop.
Investigators said Aguilar then grabbed a ceramic vase and struck Garcia Cardenas over the head, causing a large contusion.
A physical fight followed, during which a concealed firearm legally carried by Garcia Cardenas became exposed, according to police. As the two men struggled for control of the weapon, it discharged, striking Aguilar in the face.
Police said independent interviews with witnesses corroborated Garcia Cardenas' account of what happened.
Both men suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Aguilar was treated at the scene by Hialeah Fire Rescue before being airlifted to Jackson Ryder Trauma Center, while Garcia Cardenas was transported to Palmetto General Hospital for treatment of his head injury.
Based on physical evidence and witness statements, detectives determined that Garcia Cardenas acted in lawful self-defense and defense of others under Florida's Stand Your Ground law. He will not face criminal charges.
Aguilar, meanwhile, has been charged with one count of aggravated battery, police said.
Neighbors describe chaotic scene after Hialeah shooting
Neighbor Kelly Moregon told CBS News Miami that she heard the gunfire and then a bunch of cars and helicopters shortly after.
"I grabbed my daughter and go to my mom's room because she's the furthest room in the house. In case," she said.
Video recorded after the shooting showed first responders loading a person into a medical helicopter for air transport to a hospital.
One man who didn't want to be identified lives in the same building as the victims that he saw.
"Just a couple guys coming out all bloody, and then I asked the cop, and they're like, 'Yeah. A couple people got shot,'" he said. "And then I hear helicopters. They took them to the Jackson Trauma Center."
In Spanish, a woman told CBS News Miami that there was some sort of party in the corner unit on Thursday night, and then she saw two people arguing.
CBS News Miami spoke with the woman who lives in that unit, and she said her husband was shot, and that he was going to be OK.
"I was outside the whole time because I'm a concerned neighbor," a resident said. "You know? This is too close for comfort. Imagine that. I got my son. You got bullets flying everywhere."