Yasser Barreto, a Cuban national, appeared before the Miami-Dade court this Thursday initially charged with four counts of second-degree attempted murder for shooting multiple times at the manager and staff of a Hialeah bar in late July.
According to the police report, Barreto, 44, a known customer of Kurva’s Bar & Grill, opened fire multiple times at the manager and several employees outside the establishment, located at 2150 W. 10th Court, just before 5 a.m. on July 26. Fortunately, no one was injured.
Barreto was arrested on Wednesday for second-degree attempted murder and discharging a deadly projectile. However, during Thursday's hearing, the charges were changed from attempted murder to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
The police report, cited by local media, indicates that on the night of the shooting, the Cuban became aggressive with the bartenders after drinking heavily and getting drunk. The manager escorted him out of the bar and asked him not to return.
Outside, Barreto retrieved a gun from his truck, aimed it, and fired into the air while walking back toward the bar. Two security guards and another person tried to get him into his vehicle and leave, but he pointed the gun at them and shot toward their legs and feet. The victims had to run to avoid being hit by the bullets, according to the police.
The manager, who heard the gunshots from inside the bar, took his own gun, went out to the parking lot, and fired at least four shots, intending to stop Barreto from continuing to shoot and forcing him to leave, which he eventually did.
Officers confirmed that Barreto fired at least nine rounds, based on shell casings found at the scene; two of them hit the front door of the business, and another was found near the bar area.
During Thursday's hearing, Barreto's defense attorney requested that the judge change the charges from attempted murder, according to a report from Telemundo51. The attorney argued that the defendant "aimed at the individuals' feet and did not intend to shoot them, only their feet; therefore, the attempted murder charge should be aggravated assault."
The prosecution countered that although the defendant initially shot at the manager's feet, he later opened fire on the premises, at least nine times. They argued that firing numerous times at the victims and the business "constitutes a valid reason for second-degree attempted murder rather than aggravated assault with a deadly weapon."
However, based on the police report, Judge Mindy S. Glazer determined that "there is a valid reason for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon."
Barreto's bail was set at $27,500, and he was ordered to stay away from his victims and the establishment.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Hialeah Bar Shooting Case
Here are some common questions and answers regarding the incident involving Yasser Barreto and the shooting at Kurva’s Bar & Grill in Hialeah.
What charges did Yasser Barreto initially face?
Yasser Barreto was initially charged with four counts of second-degree attempted murder.
Why were the charges against Barreto changed?
The charges were changed to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon because the defense argued that Barreto aimed at the individuals' feet and did not intend to shoot them directly.
Did anyone get injured during the shooting?
No, fortunately, no one was injured during the incident.