Miccosukee Tribe member faces federal charges after shooting on reservation

Copyright 2024 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. Sutanga Rex Cypress.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — A Miccosukee Tribe member appeared in federal court in Fort Lauderdale Monday after he was arrested in connection with a shooting, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Tuesday in a news release.

According to court documents, Sutanga Rex Cypress, 42, is charged with assault with intent to commit murder, assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury.

According to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue dispatch records, the shooting happened at around 3:30 p.m. last Friday on the reservation, located in the Everglades off the Tamiami Trail.

Medics airlifted the victim to a Miami-Dade trauma center, according to MDFR. Miccosukee police said in a statement posted to X that the victim was “stable.”

According to court documents, Cypress was arguing with the victim outside his home when he pulled out a gun, pointed it at the victim and then shot the victim in the abdomen.

It’s unclear what the two were arguing about prior to the shooting, but part of the altercation was captured on cellphone video, authorities confirmed.

If convicted, Cypress faces up to 20 years in federal prison.

Copyright 2024 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.

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Amanda Batchelor

Amanda Batchelor

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Chris Gothner

Chris Gothner

Chris Gothner joined the Local 10 News team in 2022 as a Digital Journalist.