MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Children were seen on surveillance video sprinting for cover as gunfire erupted Thursday afternoon in a southwest Miami-Dade warehouse district, the chaotic outcome of what authorities say was a long-simmering family feud that turned deadly.
Eduardo Rivero Jr.,34. identified by relatives as a family member involved in the dispute, was shot and killed by his half-brother, Roberto Leyva, according to investigators.
Deputies with the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said the shooting occurred just before 1 p.m. near Bird Road and Southwest 72nd Avenue, outside the Priced Right Motors dealership in the Glenvar Heights neighborhood’s warehouse area.
Authorities said Leyva, 49, was critically injured during an exchange of gunfire with Miami-Dade sheriff’s deputies who responded to the active shooter situation.
A third victim, who deputies identified as Armando Yadro Alea, 35, was hospitalized and is in stable condition as of Friday afternoon.
Business surveillance footage captured the terrifying moments as children darted across a parking lot, searching for safety as sirens blared in the background. The video, obtained from All About The Wow, showed people ducking behind parked vehicles and calling for help as chaos unfolded.
Noon report:
“This family problem has been going on for years,” said Rosie Cordero-Stutz with the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office. “Unfortunately, it escalated to gunfire.”
Sources told Local 10 News that Rivero had recently inherited the dealership from his late father — a development that may have fueled the tension.
Related story: Miami-Dade man inherits car dealership — then is killed by half-brother, sources say
Law enforcement sources said shots rang out just before noon in a warehouse area off Southwest 74th Avenue. The incident prompted a massive response, including SWAT teams and deputies armed with rifles clearing each business unit one by one.
“I get a phone call from a former police officer who says, ‘You’ve got a live shooter in your neighborhood — it’s a lockdown situation,’” said Gil Machado, who owns a business in the area.
Nearby shops and warehouses were placed on lockdown for several hours. Employees described hiding in bathrooms and back rooms as police searched for the shooter.
“We were hiding in the shower,” said Alec Hyed, a worker at one of the businesses. “SWAT came and busted down the door and got us out.”
“It was scary because of the sound of the shooting,” said Dax Gonzalez, who heard the gunfire nearby.
Joaquín Cortez told Local 10 News that he and others hid inside a gym bathroom until deputies broke through the glass to help them evacuate.
Law enforcement officers were seen detaining at least one person, dragging a man across the pavement as gunfire was still echoing in the background.
Rivero’s family members returned to the dealership Friday but declined to speak about the shooting.
Authorities said the investigation is ongoing and have not yet announced whether any charges have been filed.
Anyone with information on the shooting is urged to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.
