A teenage boy in foster care was arrested on Friday for allegedly attempting to kill the person accused of attacking his biological mother in deep south Miami-Dade County.
A police report reveals that Guadalupe Miranda reported being beaten, resulting in bruises, and that her children were furious and sought revenge.
Video footage captures Miranda, 36, arriving in a pickup truck with her two children and her son’s girlfriend on September 28 at The Park Motel, located at 600 S. Krome Ave. in Homestead, as reported by the police.
According to witnesses, the individual seen in the surveillance footage was identified as 16-year-old Leonel Zapet, who reportedly shot the alleged assailant in the abdomen before fleeing the scene.
On September 29, police officers arrived at a foster home in Homestead to apprehend Zapet, who has a history of juvenile offenses. According to police, the victim’s condition was critical after being airlifted from Baptist Health Homestead Hospital to Jackson South Medical Center.
Prosecutors have initiated a case against Zapet, who recently celebrated his 17th birthday on November 1, in adult court, according to Miami-Dade court records filed on Wednesday. Records indicate that correctional officers placed him in adult jail following the transfer on Thursday. On Friday, he was located at the Metrowest Detention Center.
Zapet is now dealing with two serious felony charges: attempted murder in the second degree and illegal possession of a firearm as a convicted felon. He will appear for arraignment at 9 a.m. on November 18, in front of Miami-Dade County Circuit Judge Richard Hersch.
Authorities are urging anyone who has information regarding this case or others to reach out to Miami-Dade County Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.