Miami-Dade Police are searching for a man who they say shot his stepdaughter during a dispute Thursday.
The shooting happened in the 15000 block of S. Biscayne River Drive during an argument between the man, identified by relatives as 49-year-old Bernex Lucas, his stepdaughter, Cindy Lucas, 21, and his wife, Carline.
According to police, Bernex shot Cindy who then ran out of the house screaming for help.
"I was to the point of tears when she came to me and said, 'Today is my birthday. I don't want to die,'" said good Samaritan Dayana Saint-Fort.
Dayana said she was driving down S. Biscayne River Drive when she saw the young woman running and shouting in the front yard of a home, covered in blood.
"I kept her talking because she wanted to lay down," Saint-Fort said. "She wanted to go to sleep. She said she wanted to pass out, but I told her no, not today, she's not gonna do that, it's her birthday."
The motive for the shooting remains unclear, but friends said Bernex's wife filed for divorce Wednesday. Neighbors who have known the family for years said they were shocked by the shooting.
"I don't know what's going on; I'm trying to get home," neighbor Samuel Flowers said while crying. "I have never seen him be violent."
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Saint-Fort said she is just glad she was able to help save Cindy on her birthday.
"I have children and I would like to think if my kids were in that situation, somebody would return the favor," Dayana said.
Bernex's 2014 Toyota Tundra was found by police Thursday night, but he was nowhere around. He is considered armed and dangerous.
Anyone with information is asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.
