Miami

Man Shot in Face in Road Rage Incident in Southwest Miami-Dade

Holding his bleeding face moments after being shot, a moving truck driver leaned on his co-workers as he waited for paramedics.

The three men were on their way to deliver furniture in the Redland when another box-truck ran a stop sign at Southwest 284 Street and 207 Avenue.

A harmless honk of the horn got the moving crew into trouble.

"He didn't stop, so my friend honked the truck and the other guy stopped the truck and started screaming," said Jeffrey Mesa who witnessed the shooting unfold.

Mesa says he and his crew tried to drive away, but the suspect truck followed them and then beat them to the next intersection and took aim.

"We were coming through the next stop sign and he was parked and aimed and shot at the window and shot my friend while he was driving," said witness Telaysis Lee.

Lee says he had to take the wheel, and turned down southwest 284 Street, stopping right in front of the house they were scheduled to deliver to.

They helped the victim, identified as Eliel Perez, out of the car and called for help.

"Road rage completely, I don't know what was wrong with the guy, he lost his mind I don't even know," he said.

Miami-Dade Police said Perez was shot twice with a shotgun and airlifted to Jackson South Trauma Center. He underwent surgery and has been released from the hospital.

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Getty Images
Eliel Perez in his hospital bed after getting shot during a road rage incident.

The movers are still in shock over the sudden road rage violence.

"I'm speechless right now I don't know, I'm at a loss for words, I'm just hoping the best for my friend," Lee said.

The movers work for Two Men and a Truck. The company released a statement regarding Friday's incident:

"Eliel underwent surgery and has been released from the hospital. He is in good spirits and grateful for the outpouring of support today.  We are incredibly proud of the compassion and response of our team involved in this terrible incident. Our thoughts and prayers are with Eliel as he continues to recover."

Police are still looking for the shooter, who was believed to have been in a white box-type truck. Witnesses say the suspect is Hispanic, average height with long hair. 

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