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The mother of Yudaisy Salgueiro, the 47-year-old Cuban woman who was shot by her ex-partner in her building in western Miami-Dade, spoke about her daughter's condition, who remains hospitalized at Jackson Memorial Hospital after miraculously surviving a gunshot wound to the chest.
The tranquility of Tuesday afternoon was shattered at the Monte Carlo Apartments complex when an attempted femicide ended in a shooting and a large-scale police response.
On Wednesday, María Elena Crespo recounted to Local 10 the moments of horror they experienced when violence knocked at their own door.
He assured that, although his daughter is conscious and recovering, her health condition remains delicate.
"I can't say that she's okay," he confessed, explaining that the bullet passed through the upper part of Yudaisy's heart and caused a hemothorax, which is the accumulation of blood in the lung.
Despite the seriousness of the situation, the doctors determined that immediate surgery would not be necessary.
"Thank God it was just one bullet," Yudaisy herself, originally from Pinar del Río and a healthcare professional, said from the hospital, expressing her gratitude for surviving the attack.
An ambush in the building
The shooting occurred shortly before 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 26, at the intersection of NW 72nd Avenue and 3rd Street, south of the SR 836 highway.
The attacker was Javier Albriza Jara, 50 years old, who had been in a relationship with Yudaisy for more than ten years, but they had been separated for a year and a half.
According to the victim's mother, Jara was stationed in a common area when he opened fire on his ex-partner. The shot hit Yudaisy in the chest, and when he attempted to finish her off, the gun jammed.
"He was waiting for her… but the gun seemed to jam and he couldn't fire again. At that moment, she ran towards the stairs seeking refuge," Crespo recounted.
Neighbors also described scenes of terror.
A woman who witnessed the events told Telemundo 51: "Something exploded in the elevator, the girl came out screaming, and the man followed behind. Gunshots and shattering glass were heard. I saw when he shot the girl and she was screaming for help."
Pursuit within the complex
Injured and bleeding, Yudaisy managed to escape to a neighbor's unit, where she asked for help.
Meanwhile, Jara, out of control, broke the windows of the victim's apartment in an attempt to find her. He also broke into the apartment of Yudaisy's parents on the third floor.
There, María Elena Crespo confronted the attacker: "I struggled with him and managed to lock myself in my room."
According to her, her ex-son-in-law didn't shoot at her "because the bullet didn't come out."
The police cordon and the outcome
Calls to 911 quickly mobilized the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office (MDSO) and the Special Response Team (SRT). Images captured by neighbors showed officers entering with shields and long guns.
The armed suspect barricaded himself in his apartment on the fourth floor. "When we discovered him, there was an exchange of gunfire between him and three of our officers," explained Assistant Sheriff Eric García.
Minutes later, the SRT entered and found Jara dead inside. It has not yet been reported whether he died from crossfire or from a self-inflicted wound.
A life marked by miracle
The attack has left a deep mark on Yudaisy and her family.
From the hospital bed, the victim confessed that she is still trying to understand what happened: "What occurred I never imagined. We were together for 10 years and he was not aggressive. We never argued."
Today, she clings to her faith and the certainty that, despite the physical and emotional pain, she emerged alive from an event that could have ended in tragedy. "I tell you that this has all been a miracle", she declared.
Meanwhile, her mother encapsulates the feelings shared by family and neighbors: relief that her daughter survived, but fear due to the violence that shook the entire building.
A building shaken by chaos
After the shooting, several apartments were left with windows and furniture punctured by bullets.
The area around the complex remained closed for hours, with patrols blocking NW 72 Avenue and Flagler Street, causing significant traffic congestion.
Videos shared on social media by the community account Only in Dade showcased the scale of the police operation and the anxiety among residents, many of whom are still coping with the trauma of their experiences.
"I feel calm."
Now calmer, Yudaisy assures that the only thing that brings her peace is knowing that her aggressor will not threaten her again. "I feel at ease knowing that he will no longer be a threat to me or my family," she expressed.
The case is still under investigation, but for the victim and her mother, what matters is that she can speak about it today.
Frequently asked questions about the attempted femicide in Miami
What happened to Yudaisy Salgueiro during the attack in Miami?
Yudaisy Salgueiro was attacked by her ex-partner, who shot her in the chest while she was at the Monte Carlo Apartments complex. Despite the severity of the injury, she managed to survive and is currently recovering at Jackson Memorial Hospital.
Who was the attacker of Yudaisy and what was the outcome?
The aggressor was Javier Albriza Jara, the former partner of Yudaisy Salgueiro. After shooting her, there was a confrontation with the police and he was found dead in his apartment, although it is unclear whether it was due to crossfire or a self-inflicted wound.
What is the current health status of Yudaisy Salgueiro?
Yudaisy is awake and recovering in the hospital, although her condition remains delicate due to a hemothorax caused by the gunshot. Immediate surgery was not necessary according to the doctors.
How has the attack affected the community of the apartment complex?
The attack had a significant impact on the Monte Carlo Apartments community, leaving windows and furniture pierced by bullets and resulting in a considerable police presence. Residents are still processing the trauma of what they experienced and feel relief at Yudaisy's survival.
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