FLORIDA CITY, Fla. — Early Saturday morning, two deputies who were investigating gang activity saw an armed man hiding behind a tree in Florida City, records show.
The man -- later identified as Edward L. Grant -- ran to a red Toyota Corolla that was parked on a driveway, leaned forward, and tossed a black AR-15 rifle, according to deputies.
Grant, 44, was set to be on probation until June 20, 2030, after a conviction for a 2019 second-degree murder charge in Miami-Dade County, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.
Another man, who was wearing blue shorts and a white tank top, also ran toward the parked Toyota, while deputies stopped along Northwest Seventh Avenue, near 13th Street, records show.
The second suspect -- later identified as Joseph J. McKee -- removed a black Glock from his waistband and also tossed it, according to deputies.
One of the deputies walked toward the Toyota and found the AR-15 rifle, a Glock with a machine-gun conversion device, and a second Glock that they were trying to hide, according to deputies.
Deputies found three baggies with white powder that appeared to be fentanyl, according to the arrest report. McKee, who has an arrest record in Miami-Dade, went inside a house and, for a while, refused to surrender, records show.
After their arrest on Saturday, Miami-Dade County prosecutors filed cases against them on Sunday. County Circuit Judge Christine Hernandez was set to preside over the cases.
Grant faced charges for possession of a controlled substance while armed, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, and open carry of a firearm. His bond was $25,000.
McKee faced charges of possession of a short-barrel gun, carrying a concealed firearm, and resisting an officer without violence, court records show. His bond was $8,000.
County inmate records show both Grant and McKee remained at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on Monday afternoon.
Local 10 News Assignment Editor Sofia Mendez contributed to this report.
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