NORTH MIAMI, Fla. – A security camera captured the scene as a man was shot early Saturday outside a restaurant in North Miami, officials said.
Lt. Felipe Lay, a spokesman for the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department, said the man was shot just after 7 a.m. outside the El Deseo Restaurant in the 1500 block of 119th Street.
A security guard for El Deseo Restaurant, which doubles as an after-hours nightclub, said the victim left the restaurant as it was closing and was shot on the sidewalk.
Surveillance video from a nearby business shows how the shooting unfolded. After a scuffle outside the restaurant, the shooter walks to his car, returns with a gun and then opens fire, hitting the victim twice.
In the video, the suspect flees in a dark gray Honda Element (pictured). Moments later, the victim is seen sitting on the ground after realizing he's been shot.
Lay said the man, who was not identified, was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. His condition was not disclosed.
Witnesses told Local 10 News they heard close to 10 shots.
Business owners said this is not the first time an argument at this restaurant spilled into the parking lot.
While cars outside the strip mall could still be seen riddled with bullets and shattered windows, Local 10 News spoke with Amy Brown, who runs a clothing store just doors down from the shooting.
"Speechless. I'm shocked that this would happen so close to a place that we spend so much time," Brown said.
She said she was surprised to hear the suspect opened fire in broad daylight.
"We don't really operate our business at that time, which is kind of shocking that they were here at that time," Brown said.
North Miami police are now searching for the shooter.
"I would hope that he would turn himself and really think about what he is doing. He is affecting the community and somebody's family member," Brown said.
The shooter is described by police as a medium-skinned Hispanic male who is about 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighs about 140 pounds and wore a blue baseball cap with a red bill.
Cars with shattered windows and others riddled with bullets still sit sat outside El Deseo Restaurant on Saturday afternoon.
Anyone with information is asked to call the North Miami Police Department at 305-891-8111 or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS (8477). Police said tipsters could receive a reward of up to $1,000.