A 19-year-old Florida man is in custody after police say a minor argument during a backyard cookout escalated into a violent stabbing in Miami, leaving another teen seriously injured.
Authorities identified the suspect as Moises Mendoza, who has been charged with attempted second-degree murder and tampering with physical evidence. Investigators say the incident took place late Sunday night after a day of fishing that ended at a home where the group gathered to cook their catch.
According to a probable cause arrest affidavit, the victim told police he was holding Mendoza’s phone to change the music when he accidentally spilled beer on it. Mendoza allegedly accused him of “intentionally” spilling the drink, sparking a heated argument.
The dispute did not end there. Police say another individual offered to drive the victim home, with Mendoza riding along. During the drive, the argument resumed, and the victim reportedly threw beer in Mendoza’s direction. At that point, investigators allege Mendoza attacked the victim inside the vehicle, repeatedly stabbing him with a kitchen knife that had a red handle.
Wounded, the victim managed to escape the car and flag down a police officer near Northwest 30th Avenue and Northwest 11th Street shortly after 10 p.m. Officers later located the vehicle using street surveillance cameras and found blood inside the passenger area.
The car’s owner told police he dropped Mendoza off at home after the incident and later saw him dispose of the knife and the shirt he had been wearing in a garbage can. Officers then went to Mendoza’s residence, where he allegedly admitted to stabbing the victim.
Mendoza was booked into the Miami-Dade jail, where he remains without bond. Court records show he has entered a not-guilty plea as the case moves forward.
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