One of the two individuals killed during Thursday's mass shooting at Florida State University (FSU) was Roberto Morales, the son of a well-known former Cuban-American CIA operative. His father was infamously linked to covert operations against Fidel Castro and allegedly involved in training the assassin of President John F. Kennedy.
At 57, Morales was employed as a dining services coordinator at FSU, where he was highly regarded. He tragically lost his life when a gunman opened fire near the Tallahassee campus. CBS News reported that the identity of the second victim has not been disclosed, but six others were wounded and are expected to recover.
A Father Shrouded in Cold War Intrigue
Ricardo "Monkey" Morales, Roberto's father, was a distinguished counterintelligence agent in the 1960s and 70s, affiliated with agencies like the CIA, FBI, DEA, as well as intelligence services in Israel and Venezuela. As a Cuban exile, he took part in clandestine actions against Fidel Castro’s regime, including the ill-fated Bay of Pigs invasion, and served as a sniper instructor at secret camps for Cuban exiles and foreign agents.
In a 2021 radio interview with Actualidad Radio (1040 AM), his son Ricardo Morales Jr., who is writing a forthcoming book about his father, revealed that "Monkey" Morales recognized Lee Harvey Oswald—the man who assassinated Kennedy in 1963—as one of his trainees at a CIA camp. "When he saw Oswald's photo after the assassination, he realized it was the same guy he had seen at the training camp with the name tag. He didn't know him back then since he wasn't famous, but he recognized him later," Morales Jr. shared.
A Life Entangled in Conspiracies and Violence
Aside from his undercover work, Ricardo Morales Sr. faced multiple accusations regarding involvement in drug trafficking and bombings. However, many charges were dropped, fueling speculation that he remained under federal protection. His character was depicted in the Netflix series "Griselda," and he was featured in books such as "Hotel Scarface," which chronicles the crime era in Miami. Morales Sr. died in 1982 at the age of 43, shot in a bar fight in Key Biscayne, a case later deemed justified homicide by the police.
Personal and Professional Loss
The link between Roberto Morales and his renowned father was confirmed by his brother, Ricardo Morales Jr., who posted on X (formerly Twitter): "Today we lost my younger brother. He was one of the victims of the FSU shooting. He loved his job, his beautiful wife, and his daughter. I’m grateful he was part of my life." His post has garnered over 335,000 views, drawing both condolences and renewed interest in the story of "Monkey" Morales.
The gunman responsible for the shooting at Florida State University is a 20-year-old stepson of a Leon County sheriff's deputy. Authorities have noted that he is not cooperating with the investigation and remains hospitalized after being shot during his arrest.
Insights into the FSU Shooting and Its Background
Who was Roberto Morales?
Roberto Morales was a dining services coordinator at Florida State University and the son of a notorious former Cuban CIA agent. He was one of the victims in the recent FSU shooting.
What was Ricardo "Monkey" Morales known for?
Ricardo "Monkey" Morales was known for his work as a counterintelligence agent for the CIA, FBI, and other agencies in the 1960s and 70s. He was involved in covert operations against Fidel Castro and was infamously linked to training Lee Harvey Oswald.
What happened to the shooter in the FSU incident?
The shooter, a 20-year-old stepson of a Leon County sheriff's deputy, was shot during his arrest and is currently hospitalized. He is not cooperating with the investigation.