Suspect who shot woman in face arrested

Police arrest Kamiah Lanier in connection with shooting of Evelyn Matomoro

MIAMI ā€“ Police say a man accused of shooting a woman in the face after she handed over her purse during a robbery was arrested Thursday night.

According to investigators, Evelyn Matomoro was shot as she left Cafe Ruyi restaurant at 5300 NW 7th Avenue in Miami on Thursday.

Police arrested 20-year-old Kamiah Lanier Thursday night, charging him with one count of armed robbery with a firearm, one count of attempted murder, one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and one count of use of firearm during the commission of a felony.Ā Ā 

According to investigators, an off duty police officer saw Lanier run into a parking lot after the shooting. Moments later, the officer saw a grey Dodge Charger speed away.

The officer reported the car's tag number, which led to a Miami-Dade officer to later spot the vehicle and stop it. Officials said a woman, who identified herself as Lanier's sister, was in the car.

The woman told officials she had driven Lanier to the scene of the robbery earlier in the day. Officers obtained a photograph of Lanier and brought it to the hospital. They say Matamoro was able to identify him as the shooter.

Police arrested Lanier at his Florida City home and found Matomoro's purse in his possession.

Police also said they found a gun, but they are not sure if that is the gun Lanier used to shoot Matamoro in the face.

According to police, they linked Lanier to a prior robbery that took place at 1524 Northwest 19th Terrace on Wednesday. Officials said Lanier did not hurt the woman involved in the robbery.

Police say Lanier has a crime history. On August of 2011, he was charged with attempted armed robbery and aggravated battery on a pregnant woman.

According to investigators, the pregnant woman was his girlfriend. He allegedly beat her so bad, she had a miscarriage. Police say he also chased her with a knife one time, threatening to kill her.

Matomoro remains in critical condition at Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Unit, but officials said she will be okay.

Local 10's Roger Lohse spoke to Matomoro's daughter, who said she's happy because doctors told her that her mother would be okay.