A 57-year-old Cuban man named Lázaro Arteaga Cuello has been arrested and is facing charges of second-degree attempted murder and evidence tampering after stabbing his roommate with a kitchen knife.
The violent incident transpired on Thursday night at the West Brickell Apartments condominium, located at the intersection of Second Avenue and Southwest 10th Street in Miami. The attack occurred at approximately 7:43 p.m. (local time) while the victim was asleep on the sofa.
According to the police report, Arteaga launched an unprovoked assault on the victim using a kitchen knife. In an attempt to de-escalate the situation and escape, the victim was pursued by Arteaga into the hallway near the elevator, where he was attacked again.
Details of the Attack and Arrest
Upon arrival at the scene, police encountered the suspect, who spontaneously confessed, saying, "I just stabbed my roommate and put the knife in the dishwasher." Shortly thereafter, the victim emerged from the elevator, bleeding heavily with injuries near the right eye, left shoulder, forearm, and hand.
The victim was rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where he remains in stable condition. First responders and investigators noted that the apartment and the building's common areas, including the hallway and elevator, were stained with blood. Security cameras captured the hallway attack, which will be crucial in court.
Officers also retrieved the weapon, which the accused had placed in the dishwasher.
Understanding the Relationship
The two men had known each other for over 35 years, but the reason behind the attack is still unclear. Neighbors expressed shock over the violent incident.
"Nobody knows what happened, only they do," remarked Surelis Quijada, a resident of the condominium, speaking to America Tevé. "Wonderful neighbors, nobody thought something like this would happen, we were shocked," Quijada added.
Another resident, Melody Paradise, described the scene: "When I arrived, there was a woman cleaning up the blood and a police officer at the apartment door. It was crazy."
Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Investigation
Arteaga appeared in Miami-Dade criminal court on Friday, where he was denied bail. He faces serious charges that could lead to a lengthy prison sentence. The victim remains hospitalized as authorities continue their investigation to uncover the details and motive behind the attack.
For further information and updates on the Miami stabbing incident, stay tuned as the investigation unfolds.