Miami

Man Found Dead in Downtown Miami Was Scottish Soldier

Police are investigating after a man was found dead near a busy Miami intersection early Sunday morning.

Oscar Aguilera first found the man's body on a sidewalk at Biscayne Boulevard and 81st Street around 7 a.m.

"I saw him not moving and puddle of blood," Aguilera said. "I went and checked and saw when his eyes were wide open."

The victim was later identified as 22-year-old Shaun Cole, a Scottish soldier who was in town with friends for the Ultra Music Festival.

Cole served in the 1st Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (1SCOTS) and had served in Afghanistan and had recently returned from Sierra Leone where soldiers have been involved in the Ebola aid effort.

"The men and women of 1SCOTS are shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the death of Private Shaun Cole," Commanding Officer Lt. Colonel Matt Munro said in a statement. "Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with Shaun's family at this desperately difficult time."

Police cordoned off two blocks on Biscayne for six hours as they investigated. Detectives consider the death unclassified, but have not yet said what happened to the victim.

A nearby gym turned over surveillance footage to police, and a red light camera may have also captured the incident.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS (8477).

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