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A violent knife attack at a café in Hialeah left one man seriously injured and another under arrest for attempted murder.
The incident occurred on the night of Sunday, October 5, at the restaurant "Las Margaritas," located at 1385 Palm Avenue, although the arrest of the attacker did not take place until this Wednesday.
The incident originated inside the establishment around 9:15 p.m., when three individuals -including the alleged aggressor- began a heated argument, according to the report from the Hialeah Police Department, as cited by the local press.
Among those present was 52-year-old Cuban, Abel Pérez, who would soon become the main suspect in the brutal attack.
Eyewitnesses indicated that the conversation became tense quickly.
However, the outbreak of violence did not occur inside the establishment, but outside.
The victim—whose identity has not been revealed—decided to leave the café, but was followed by Pérez, who confronted him outside the establishment while wielding a cutter.
According to the police report, Pérez stabbed the victim “several times,” causing deep wounds and severe arterial bleeding.
"The victim resisted the stabbing attempts and managed to avoid a knife aimed at their neck; however, they sustained a stab wound to the left arm and right leg, resulting in severe arterial bleeding that required emergency surgery at the Ryder Trauma Center," one of the agents reported while describing the attack, based on witness statements.
Victim in critical condition
After the violent incident, the injured person was urgently transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where they underwent surgery. They remain admitted to the intensive care unit of the Ryder Trauma Center.
The degree of violence in the incident shocked even the regular customers of the establishment.
"I come here less often, but I learned more or less what happened, and it's a very sad thing because it shouldn't have happened," said Ricardo Rodríguez, a resident of Hialeah, in remarks to Telemundo 51.
"I lived many years in Hialeah, even just two blocks from here, and nothing like that had ever happened here," he added.
Recognition and identification of the aggressor
The identification of the suspect was made possible thanks to a key witness, who stated that he has known Pérez for about four years.
This person witnessed the attack and provided a detailed statement to the agents, thereby facilitating the swift arrest of the assailant.
Abel Pérez was arrested on the night of Wednesday, October 8, at his residence located on 84th Street and 31st Street West.
Currently, he is in custody at the Turner Guilford Knight (TGK) Correctional Center in Miami-Dade County, without the right to bail.
He is formally charged with attempted second-degree murder with a deadly weapon.
So far, the authorities have not revealed the reason behind the dispute that triggered the attack, and the investigation remains ongoing to clarify the background of the incident.
It cannot be ruled out that there were prior personal differences between those involved, although this has not been confirmed by the police.
Frequently asked questions about the violent incident in Hialeah
What happened at the Hialeah café that led to the arrest of Abel Pérez?
In the Hialeah café, Abel Pérez was arrested for attempted murder following a violent incident involving a knife. Pérez stabbed a man multiple times after an argument, leaving the victim seriously injured and requiring emergency surgery.
What is the current status of the victim of the attack at "Las Margaritas" café?
The victim of the attack at the "Las Margaritas" café remains in critical condition in the intensive care unit of the Ryder Trauma Center. She required emergency surgery due to the deep wounds and severe arterial hemorrhage sustained during the incident.
How was Abel Pérez identified and arrested after the attack?
Abel Pérez was identified thanks to a key witness who had known him for about four years and witnessed the attack. This witness's statement led to Pérez's swift arrest, and he was apprehended at his residence without the right to bail.
Why is violence in Hialeah a recurring topic in the news?
Violence in Hialeah is on the rise, with incidents of stabbings and shootings frequently making the news. Factors such as population density, social issues, and the increase in homelessness contribute to this problem, raising concerns among residents and local authorities.
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