Police Continue To Investigate Shooting Of FIU Student In Parking Garage
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Police are looking for the killer of a Florida International University student.
Someone shot and killed Michael Zaldua Friday night in a parking garage off-campus.
Police found Zaldua shot on the third floor of the parking garage at 4th Street Commons, new off-campus housing for university students in Sweetwater.
Michael Zaldua's longtime neighbor, Johanna Romero, was stunned to hear Zaldua was murdered.
Though Zaldua was a student at FIU he didn't live at the 4th Street Commons. He lived with his parents at a condo in Doral next door to Romero, who knew the 21-year old since he was a child.
"He was always very, very kind," said Romero. "Very courteous. Always 'hi, ma'am.' So, I'm shocked that something like this could happen."
FIU freshman Melissa Helphey just moved into the 4th street commons, the administration texting her mother after the shooting.
"My mom's scared. She wants me to move," Helphrey told CBS4's Donna Rapado.
Doral and FIU Police were still at the building Saturday evening, Helphrey telling us the shooting was all anyone could talk about.
"Everybody's talking about it. It's crazy. I live on the second floor. I park my car on the second floor. It happened just above us," said Helphrey. "Violence happens everywhere. But everybody wants to move out of here."
Helphrey said the garage has no security cameras and anyone can drive or walk in and out.
A spokesperson for the commons said Saturday that they added security officers and increased patrols on the third and second floors of the garage.
"They just make sure that if you live there you're supposed to be there," Helphrey explained. "And, if you don't have a key to the elevator you don't get in. I just had someone right now like, 'hey can I use your key to get upstairs?' And you don't even know if they live there."
In a statement FIU offered the school's thoughts and prayers to Zaldua's loved ones. The school went on to say, "the university will be offering support to students who feel impacted by this tragedy. Although there is nothing to indicate there is any danger to our FIU community, this incident serves as a reminder to be vigilant of your surroundings and report any unusual activity to police."
Police urge anyone with information to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.
