A Miami Gardens man is facing an attempted felony murder charge after police say a tense parking lot encounter over an alleged smile spiraled into gunfire at an apartment complex. The victim, who was hit on the right side of his abdomen, was found conscious behind parked cars at the Misty Lakes Apartments. According to police, the suspect stayed at the scene and surrendered without a struggle.
Police timeline and arrest
According to a Miami Gardens Police arrest report cited by WSVN, officers were called out early Sunday to the Misty Lakes Apartments in the 600 block of Northwest 210th Street. Investigators say 56-year-old Armando Peraza Fajardo struck the victim in the back, then pulled a handgun from his waistband, chambered a round and chased the man through the parking lot while repeatedly firing. One round hit the victim and another missed, according to the report.
When officers arrived, they reportedly found Fajardo still in the lot, his hands raised, with a handgun sitting on the hood of his vehicle. Police say those details, along with the victim’s statement and physical evidence from the scene, form the backbone of the case.
Context in Miami Gardens
The arrest folds into what has been a rough summer for Miami Gardens, where a series of shootings tied to fights and domestic disputes have left residents on edge, according to the Miami Herald. Local coverage has highlighted several recent disputes that escalated into gunfire in and around apartment complexes, a pattern that underscores how quickly everyday arguments can turn violent.
Police say they are continuing to investigate these incidents and are asking anyone with information to contact authorities.
Charges and court status
Per the arrest report referenced by WSVN, Fajardo was arrested and booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. A judge found probable cause, ordered that he be held with no bond and listed the charge as attempted felony murder. The investigation remains active.
