Man open fires in Miami Beach after being told to leave hotel property, police say

Juan Ortiz-Sierra, 29, also accused of throwing beer bottle at officer's head

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – A Miami Beach man was arrested earlier this month after he opened fired outside a hotel along Collins Avenue, police said.

According to an arrest report, Juan Ortiz-Sierra, 29, shouted obscenities at the manager of Hotel de Jesus Aug. 13 after the manager asked him to leave the hotel's pool area because he was not a guest.

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Police said Ortiz-Sierra walked away from the hotel and the manager and other witnesses heard several gunshots.

Police said witnesses flagged down officers and pointed in the direction where Ortiz-Sierra had walked off.

An officer spotted the suspect on the ramp to the boardwalk on 38th Street and ordered him to stop, the report said.

Police said Ortiz-Sierra ran away and then threw a Heineken beer bottle at the officer's head when he was spotted running out of bushes in an open field.

Police said the officer wasn't struck and Ortiz-Sierra finally obeyed commands to stop once other officers arrived at the scene.

Surveillance video from the Mosaic Hotel shows the man walking with a firearm and two beer bottles, the report said.

Detectives said Ortiz-Sierra also had bloodshot, water eyes, slurred speech and a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from his breath.

Several casings were recovered in the area where witnesses and the video show the suspect discharging the gun, police said.

Detectives said a casing that matched the others recovered at the scene was also found in Ortiz-Sierra's pocket.

Police said he kicked the left rear passenger door of a police cruiser while being taken into custody. He is also accused of kicking the rear door of the car, causing damage while being secured in a seat belt.

He faces charges of discharging a firearm in public, using a firearm while intoxicated, improper exhibition of a firearm, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer and criminal mischief.


About the Author:

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