MIAMI, FL – Miami-Dade police have disclosed new information regarding a tragic murder-suicide that took place in a Coral Gables apartment building on Thursday morning.
Authorities report that a 61-year-old man fatally shot a 41-year-old woman, with whom he was romantically involved, before turning the gun on her 20-year-old son and then himself. The incident has left the community in shock, particularly those living in the typically serene Gables Ponce Apartments.
Local residents expressed their disbelief and sadness over the event. “It is shocking and upsetting, of course. This is not something you want to hear, especially where you live,” said Lili Swanson, a neighbor. Another resident, Lori Perez, echoed the sentiment, describing the complex as normally safe and well-managed.
Coral Gables police quickly responded to the scene at 320 Granello Avenue, near U.S. 1 and LeJeune Road. The area was cordoned off, and Coral Gables Senior High School was temporarily locked down as a precaution.
Detective Andre Martin of Miami-Dade Police, who is overseeing the investigation, stated that the 20-year-old victim managed to call 911 despite his injuries. “At around 9:43 a.m., a 911 call was received from a male who said he was suffering from gunshot wounds,” Martin said. Emergency responders found the older man and woman deceased upon arrival. The young man was transported to Jackson South Hospital, where he underwent critical surgery and is now in stable condition.
Authorities have confirmed that the deceased individuals were in a domestic partnership. The motive behind the incident remains unclear, but detectives hope to gain more insights after interviewing the surviving victim.
Detectives are also reviewing the apartment’s call history to determine if there were any previous reports of disturbances. Martin assured the public that this was an isolated incident and posed no ongoing threat to the community.
In the wake of the tragedy, Martin emphasized the importance of seeking help in domestic situations. “We need to remind the community that if you are involved in any situation that you believe is going to turn violent or has become violent in the past, reach out and find resources,” he said. “There is no excuse to turn to violence. If you fear for your safety or the safety of loved ones, we encourage you to seek help and get out of the situation.”