Man paralyzed from waist down in Miami shooting

Police: Victim's spine severed by bullet

MIAMI – A young man is paralyzed from the waist down after he was shot during a home invasion, police said.

According to detectives, Bryan Tomy Perez, 20, and Sebastian Antequera, 21, were sitting in Perez's enclosed patio Monday when they saw three black teenagers loitering in the apartment complex on Northeast Fourth Court near San Simeon Way.

Detectives said Perez confronted the teens, who forced him back into the patio at gunpoint while robbing Antequera of his belongings. Police said the teens then forced the victims inside the apartment.

Antequera entered the home first, and police said Perez tried closing the sliding door behind him as he entered the apartment after Antequera. The teens then fired several shots into the residence, shattering the glass door and striking Perez in his torso and extremities.

Perez was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center, where he underwent surgery. Doctors said Perez's spine was severed and he would be paralyzed from the waist down. He is listed in critical but stable condition.

Antequera was not injured in the shooting.

Police said the crooks wanted to enter Perez's home because he had recently purchased a safe, and they saw the box discarded in front of the apartment. They didn't get away with it on Monday, but police said they came back to the home Tuesday evening while the family was visiting Perez in the hospital.

The safe, a TV and other electronics were stolen from the apartment Tuesday.

Anyone with information about this shooting is asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.


About the Author:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.