MIAMI – A homeless man has been arrested and faces a charge of second-degree attempted murder after police say he pushed a woman into the Miami River during a violent argument Tuesday morning, an attack that left her in critical condition.
The suspect, identified as 47-year-old William Bill Youmans Jr., was detained at the scene by Miami police officers shortly after the incident, which they said unfolded just before 11 a.m. near 114 SW North River Drive, just west of downtown Miami.
The victim, identified as Marie Luce Roseme, was found unconscious in the river and pulled out by Miami Fire Rescue divers at approximately 11:08 a.m., according to the report.
Authorities said she was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center, where she remained intubated and in critical condition as of Wednesday afternoon.
According to Miami police, a teenager witnessed the argument between Roseme and Youmans escalate before he shoved her into the river.
The teenager, who was under the Southwest First Street Bridge across the river, called 911 and kept a visual on Youmans until police arrived.
Police said another witness saw the incident and confirmed the two had been arguing and throwing objects at each other. The witness stated that she regularly saw the victim in the park.
Detectives said they later interviewed Youmans at the MPD’s Homicide Office, where they noted disturbing behavior.
According to the report, Youmans began screaming erratically, punching walls — and, at one point, masturbated and ejaculated on the interview room table.
Due to his behavior, detectives concluded the interrogation and charged him with one count of second-degree attempted murder.
Authorities said they shut down part of Southwest North River Drive as investigators collected evidence and spoke with witnesses. They also confirmed that Youmans and Roseme knew each other, but have not elaborated on the nature of their relationship.
As of Wednesday, Youmans was being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, where his bond was listed at $100,000.
Anyone with information on the case is urged to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.
