A Florida City community is shaken after 90-year-old Rafael Cotto was grazed by a bullet while inside his home. As reported by WSVN, the incident occurred just after midnight yesterday morning near Southwest 10th Street and Sixth Court when unidentified individuals exchanged gunfire in the neighborhood. According to Cotto's grandson, Anthony De La Rosa, who was present during the shooting, multiple homes and parked cars were hit by bullets.
The stray bullet that struck Cotto passed through shutters, a wall, and a door before grazing his shoulder and arm while he was doing a crossword puzzle. De La Rosa told WSVN, "I didn’t know it was gunshots until my grandpa started screaming." First responders quickly took Cotto to Jackson South Medical Center, where family members expressed concern for his health due to his age and declining condition.
Cotto’s granddaughter, Samantha Figueroa told CBS Miami. "He's 90. I thought I was going to lose him," Figueroa said, also mentioning her role in caring for him. "This is not a safe area and I want to move out of here." she added. Cotto is expected to be in the hospital for several more days.. Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.
