The suspect accused of stabbing nuclear engineer Alexander Restrepo to death has been identified and charged, the Miami-Dade Police Department said.
Officials said 22-year-old Alejandro Esteban Tapia faces a second-degree murder charge and an attempted second-degree murder charge.
Esteban Tapia was among the three people the MDPD said were detained on Friday in relation to Restrepo's killing.
"Two additional individuals were detained and continue to be questioned by investigators to determine their involvement, if any," the MDPD said in a statement of the other two suspects.
A fourth person, 24-year-old Edwin Rios, was first arrested Thursday on second-degree murder with a deadly weapon and attempted second-degree murder charges in the killing of Restrepo, Miami-Dade police officials said.
"Rot in jail," was the message from Restrepo's mother, Amparo, to her son's alleged killer. "I just want him to look in my eyes and I want him to see the grief and the hurt that he has caused and will cause for the rest of my life."
Restrepo, 33, was found lying on the grass near Southwest 147th Street and 157th Avenue with multiple stab wounds shortly before 3 a.m. Saturday, police said. Paramedics rushed him to Jackson Memorial Hospital South where he later died.
Detectives say Restrepo had been at a house party at a home down the block that about 60 or so people attended. Police said Restrepo and some friends were confronted by a group of males at the party.
Restrepo and his friends walked away but detectives say they were confronted a second time down the block, which led to a fight. Police say someone pulled out a sharp object and stabbed Restrepo repeatedly.
Restrepo's brother, Christopher was stabbed in the hand and head, police said.
"My shirt rips off me as they are trying to take me down," Restrepo said. "I’m starting to panic because they’re grabbing me, so many hands grabbing me."
An arrest report released Thursday gave few details about the altercation.
"Through investigative efforts, the defendant was identified as an active participant in the physical altercation that led to the demise of [Alexander Restrepo] and the injuries to [Christopher Restrepo]," the report said.
Rios has a history of arrests, including a charge of attempted murder as a teenager.
"(It's) crazy how someone with this record is out in the street for the last few years and now he’s committed a senseless act of violence to our little brother," said the victim's sister, Natalie Restrepo.
Alexander Restrepo had a master's degree in nuclear engineering from the University of Florida, and worked at Turkey Point Nuclear Generating Station.
"He must have fought the rest of them. And I wish he had a little bit less pride and would have run, because I think he sacrificed himself to save me," Chris Restrepo said.
Rios was being held without bond Thursday, jail records showed. Attorney information wasn't available.
