Murder Charges Filed Against Teen In Hialeah Target Parking Lot Shooting Stemming From Botched Robbery
HIALEAH (CBSMiami) – A 15-year-old boy is facing felony murder charges in connection to a shooting in the parking lot of a Hialeah Target that left a 17-year-old dead during a gun sale gone wrong.
Shoppers at the Target on Monday tell CBS4 News that they're in disbelief.
"It is very frightening," said Iliana Cardoso, who shops in the plaza frequently. "I'm very worried because we come here to Target, I would come at all different hours and I'm very frightened about it," said Amelia Diaz.
According to Hialeah police, the shooting took place during the botched sale of two guns when both teens tried to buy the guns with counterfeit cash.
The arrest affidavit states that Raul Araujo, 15, and the other teen, who we are not identifying, arranged to meet a couple in the parking lot of the Target on 1750 W. 37 Avenue to purchase two guns the victim had listed for sale on a website.
The duo paid cash for the guns, but the seller used a counterfeit detector pen and discovered the fake currency, said police.
When the seller confronted the teens about the counterfeit currency, the report states Araujo pulled out a gun and pointed it at the seller while the older teen grabbed the unloaded weapons and they both tried to run away.
However, the victim, "in fear for his safety," drew a concealed firearm from a fanny pack and fired at the teens in self-defense, hitting both of them, according to the police report.
Araujo suffered a gunshot wound to the arm and leg and was taken to JMH. The 17-year-old was shot in the chest and died at the hospital.
Police in South Florida already have the dangers of in-person exchanges on their radar.
The Miami-Dade Police Department provides "Safe Havens" for exchanges that may stem from an online conversation.
Those havens are at their police station public parking areas, many of which are open 24/7.
Police say the gun used by Araujo was reported stolen in a separate armed robbery. Detectives are now looking into several other similar robberies to see if they're connected.
Araujo denied he had a gun during the robbery, according to police.
He is now charged with Felony Murder and Armed Robbery with a firearm.
