MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – A woman was injured in a shooting on Wednesday night in Miami Beach at the hands of her own friend, police said.
According to the suspect’s arrest report, several police officers were working an off-duty job at the Convention Center COVID-19 testing site when they heard two gunshots.
Police said the officers went to the intersection of 18th Street and Meridian Avenue and found that the victim had been shot in the right thigh.
Miami Beach Fire Rescue personnel took the victim to Jackson Memorial Hospital and deemed the injuries as non-life-threatening. Police said the bullet shattered her femur bone.
According to the arrest report, the officers ordered the suspect, Zacoree Hopkins, 21, of St. Louis, Missouri, out of a nearby vehicle and took her into custody. The gun used in the shooting was also seized.
Police said Hopkins told detectives that the friends drove down from Missouri to enjoy a couple days in Miami Beach, but got into an argument Wednesday about Hopkins bringing her two young children with her.
According to her arrest report, the argument escalated as the duo was heading to a party on Meridian Avenue over a Facebook post the victim had posted about Hopkins.
Police said everyone got out of the car when they arrived at the party location and the friends continued to argue.
Hopkins eventually pulled out a gun from a bag located in the front console area and shot into the air, authorities said.
The gun jammed, but Hopkins then allegedly pointed it at her friend and shot her in the leg.
Police said Hopkins claimed that she was aiming at the ground in order to keep the victim away from her.
Hopkins faces charges of discharging a gun in public and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
LOCATION
Local 10 News Assignment Desk Editor Emily Hales contributed to this report.