The Hialeah Police Department has released a dramatic surveillance video depicting the moment Pedro de Jesús Blanco, 55, fatally shot Yoendry Campos, a 33-year-old Cuban man visiting an apartment in the building where the tragic event occurred. Although the incident took place on May 13, the footage has only now been made public as part of the ongoing legal proceedings against Blanco, who is charged with first-degree murder.
The video clearly shows Blanco coldly firing the weapon and, after shooting, calmly picking up the shell casing before retreating to his own apartment. This evidence was pivotal in quickly identifying and apprehending the suspect.
Fatal Dispute Over Parking Space
The shooting occurred in an apartment complex located at the intersection of 9th Street and 7th Avenue, specifically at 710 E 9th Street in Hialeah. According to the police report, Campos was visiting unit 202, while the alleged shooter lived in unit 201, right next door. Authorities have indicated that the incident stemmed from a neighborhood dispute, apparently over a parking spot.
Family members of the victim allege that Campos was killed after parking his vehicle in a space claimed by Blanco. The arrest report details that Blanco approached the apartment with a firearm concealed in a plastic bag. Following a brief verbal exchange, he briefly stepped away, only to return and fire a single shot that struck Campos in the left torso. "He asks the victim a question, and at that moment, he pulls out the firearm and shoots," police spokesman Eddie Rodríguez explained to Telemundo 51.
Shortly after, officers arrived at the scene and arrested the suspect, who did not resist. A subsequent search of his residence revealed the murder weapon and a bullet casing in a kitchen trash can. During a court hearing the day after the crime, a Miami-Dade County judge ordered Blanco to be held without bail. His trial is set to begin in September, where he could face life imprisonment or the death penalty if convicted.
Campos, affectionately known as Gaspacho, emigrated from El Vedado, Havana, seven years ago. He was the father of a young daughter and, according to those close to him, was a hardworking, sociable man with no history of legal trouble.
Key Questions About the Hialeah Shooting Incident
What charges is Pedro de Jesús Blanco facing?
Pedro de Jesús Blanco is facing charges of first-degree murder for the shooting of Yoendry Campos.
What evidence was crucial in identifying the suspect?
The surveillance video was crucial in identifying and apprehending Pedro de Jesús Blanco as it captured him shooting Campos and collecting the shell casing.
When is the trial for this case expected to begin?
The trial is scheduled to begin in September, where Blanco could face life imprisonment or the death penalty if found guilty.