Man Charged After Police Standoff In Doral
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Former South Florida athlete Sergio van Kanten appeared before a Miami-Dade judge Tuesday afternoon. He's now facing three counts of attempted murder on a law enforcement officer.
Doral police said van Kanten fired a shotgun at three officers Monday night.
It happened at The Manor CityPlace Apartments near Northwest 87th Avenue and 36th Street.
Officers arrived after van Kanten called 911. Police said he claimed six men broke-in his apartment.
Nearly 24 hours later, one neighbor told CBS 4 News, he's still stunned.
"I was surprised because it has always been so quiet," Jesus Aguilar said.
During it all, there was an hours-long standoff that left residents stranded.
"I heard like crack-crack. I'm like oh, that was a gunshot. So then I ran to my apartment," one resident said.
"I heard one shot and people yelling," another resident told us Tuesday night.
After it was over, police said van Kanten confessed to shooting at officers, lying about the break-in, and firing a gun toward a Doral patrol car, which happened back in April.
The last confession concerned one neighbor who usually rides his bicycle outside the building.
"Every week. Twice a week. Today is my day off. So, I ride over here and all over Doral," Aguilar said.
In 2016, Miami FC described van Kanten as a high energy player and news release said the club was lucky to have him.
In a statement Tuesday, a spokesperson said "In regards to the suspect in question, Sergio van Kanten appeared in one match for The Miami FC back in 2016, before being released. The Miami FC has no further comment at this time."
The group never said why he was released.
Van Kanten has played soccer all over the world, including Colombia and England.
A search through court records shows arrests dating back to 2007 in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Currently, he has an open case in Broward for DUI and possession of THC.
Van Kanten is due back in bond court Wednesday because his private attorney was not present Tuesday.
