A Cuban woman was tragically shot in the head by her former son-in-law at her Miami Gardens home this week, an incident her daughter describes as a premeditated assault. The suspect, 49-year-old Bilal Ismail, the ex-partner of the victim's daughter and father of her two children, is facing charges of second-degree attempted murder and will remain in custody without bail. The victim is currently hospitalized in critical condition.
A Heart-Wrenching Court Testimony
In a court hearing held on Wednesday, Claudia Quintero, the victim's daughter and Ismail's former partner, delivered an emotional and powerful testimony before Judge Mindy S. Glazer, as reported by America Tevé. Tearfully, Quintero stated that Ismail not only harbored hatred for her mother but had explicitly expressed his desire to kill her.
"He hated my mom, he told me over the phone, I have all the text messages, he said, ‘I wanna kill your mother,’” Claudia declared in court. She further disclosed that the attack was not a spontaneous act but a carefully crafted plot. According to her statement, Ismail was aware of when her mother would be alone at home, indicating a pattern of surveillance and intent behind the crime.
"He did this premeditatedly, he planned it... he followed my steps, he had a GPS in my car and knew where I was, that's why he entered through an open door, cut the cameras, I have all of this," she added.
A History of Stalking and Surveillance
Claudia Quintero's relationship with Ismail spanned nine years, during which they had two children. The relationship ended in August 2024 after she discovered his infidelity. Since then, according to her, the harassment has not ceased. She reported that Ismail, whose nationality has not been disclosed, persistently pursued her and even installed a GPS device in her vehicle to track her movements.
"I have camera recordings of four times he placed a GPS in my car," she stated. This behavior, according to Claudia, created a constant state of fear for her and her children, to the point where she now fears for their lives.
The Attack and Apprehension
On Monday morning, Ismail went to his mother-in-law's residence located in the 4400 block of Northwest 203rd Terrace, Miami Gardens. There, he shot the woman in the head, causing life-threatening injuries. The bullet passed through the victim's throat and reached her abdomen, leaving her in critical condition.
After the attack, the assailant fled the scene in a Ford F-150 truck. The chase lasted almost 24 hours until he was found at a gas station near the crime scene. Surveillance footage captured the moment Ismail, driving a Toyota RAV, arrived at the location followed by patrol cars. The video showed him exiting the vehicle shirtless, walking backward with his hands raised in a gesture of surrender.
No Bail and In Custody
During the hearing, Judge Glazer determined that there was sufficient evidence to deny bail. The decision was based on the severity of the crime, the flight risk, and the potential danger the accused poses to the victim and her family. Ismail's next court appearance is scheduled for Thursday as police continue gathering evidence to clarify all aspects of the case.
Currently, the victim is admitted to the HCA Florida Aventura Hospital, where, although conscious and alert, she is unable to speak and faces a long and challenging recovery.
Key Questions About the Miami Gardens Shooting Incident
What charges is Bilal Ismail facing?
Bilal Ismail is facing charges of second-degree attempted murder.
What evidence did Claudia Quintero present in court?
Claudia Quintero presented evidence of text messages and testimony regarding Ismail's expressed intent to harm her mother, as well as information about his surveillance activities.
Where is the victim currently receiving medical treatment?
The victim is currently hospitalized at the HCA Florida Aventura Hospital.