Two brothers of Cuban descent, identified as Pedro Luis Rodríguez and Luis Ángel Rodríguez, have been detained following a violent confrontation with an employee at a tire shop in southwest Miami-Dade, according to police reports. The incident unfolded Monday afternoon at Tire Liquidators Miami II, located at 2090 Southwest 67th Avenue.
The brothers had visited the shop to lodge a complaint regarding previous work done on their vehicle. As stated in the arrest report cited by local media, the situation quickly deteriorated when the customers started arguing with the mechanic, referred to as the "victim" in the report, whose identity remains undisclosed.
In an effort to defuse the situation, the employee provided contact details for the business owners. However, tensions escalated when one of the brothers began to physically assault the employee, prompting him to draw a gun he was carrying at his waist and raise it in the air.
Escalation and Gunfire
In response, the brothers allegedly attacked the mechanic, hitting him repeatedly on the head and body. During the scuffle, the mechanic discharged the firearm three times, striking Pedro Luis Rodríguez in the leg.
Following the gunfire, Pedro Rodríguez reportedly seized the weapon from the mechanic, striking him on the head while threatening, "You're good for nothing but to be killed." The employee managed to flee the office, but outside, he was confronted again by Luis Ángel Rodríguez, who continued the assault, took the gun from his brother, and aimed it at the mechanic, according to the police report.
Aftermath and Arrests
The employee sustained bruises on both arms and a head laceration but did not require hospitalization. Pedro Luis Rodríguez was transported to Ryder Trauma Center in stable condition due to the leg injury. Both he and his brother were arrested shortly thereafter.
Pedro Luis Rodríguez is facing charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, while Luis Ángel Rodríguez is charged with assault and aggravated battery with a firearm, as per court records.
Community Reaction
Witnesses and neighbors recounted the chaos that unfolded during the altercation. "We saw a woman run out with a phone to call for help, and within two or three minutes, the first police car arrived," said Rafael Pedroza, who identified himself as a witness.
Pedroza added that he saw two people covered in blood, one with a leg wound, while the mechanic was led away in handcuffs by the police. The shop owner, also of Cuban heritage, defended his employee, explaining that he was aware the man carried a gun for security reasons. "He's been working with me for several years," he stated, confirming that the employee will continue to work at the shop despite the incident.
Authorities are continuing to investigate to uncover all aspects of the case. This is not the first violent incident involving tires and a Cuban individual in the past month.