New details emerged Tuesday after a man began shooting at other drivers, as well as police officers, during a frantic scene early Monday morning in Miami-Dade County.
Police say 36-year-old Horvin Ruiz, armed with an AK-47 and a handgun, fired 108 rounds at vehicles and officers on the Palmetto Expressway before abruptly surrendering.
On Tuesday, Miami-Dade Police Department obtained a search warrant for Ruiz's home and discovered nearly a dozen weapons.
MDPD Detective Daniel Ferrin said Tuesday that Ruiz is facing charges including attempted murder, attempted murder of a police officer and aggravated assault. Ruiz remained jailed Tuesday and court records listed no attorney for him.
Authorities say Ruiz began shooting from inside his Toyota Corolla about 1 a.m. Monday as he was driving south. Police say he continued firing after Miami-Dade officers and Florida Highway Patrol troopers arrived until he ran out of ammunition, firing more rounds from a 9mm handgun. Officers returned fire and Ruiz then surrendered.
Two different cars were struck by bullets. One driver, identified as Enrique Bendana, was hit and treated at a nearby gas station. He drove himself to Kendall Regional Medical Center, where NBC 6 reporter Erika Glover spoke to him as he left.
"The bullet went through the headrest of the passenger [side] and went through the windshield," Bendana recalled. "Inches from my head. I mean, I got hit right in my temple. I had blood coming out of my head and I freaked out in that moment."
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A second driver who pulled up behind the accused shooter’s car also had her car struck by bullets. She was reportedly struck by shattered glass but did not need to be hospitalized.
The other victims were identified as 56-year-old Juan Carlos Castillo, 39-year-old Ray Alex Manresa, 29-year-old Michael Lekoetue, 26-year-old Simone Evans and 24-year-old Rob'Terria Byrd.
The expressway was closed in both directions for almost six hours before northbound lanes reopened just after 7:30 a.m. Officials opened the southbound lanes shortly after 10 a.m.
The officer who opened fire on Ruiz is a 24-year veteran of the Miami-Dade Police Department.
