Yudaisy Salgueiro, a 47-year-old Cuban healthcare professional residing in Miami, has spoken from her hospital bed at Jackson Memorial. She shared a harrowing account with Telemundo 51 and Univision about surviving an attempted murder by her ex-partner at their shared apartment complex. "I tell you, this has all been a miracle," she told Telemundo 51, still recovering from a bullet wound that pierced her chest.
The incident took place on Tuesday, August 26, just before 4:00 p.m., at the Monte Carlo Apartments complex, located at the intersection of NW 72nd Avenue and 3rd Street, south of the SR 836 highway in western Miami-Dade County. The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office (MDSO) confirmed that deputies responded to multiple 911 calls reporting gunshots.
Upon arrival, officers found a woman with injuries to her upper body—Yudaisy. "The bullet entered above the heart and exited through the back," she recounted. The impact caused a pneumothorax. "I had a hemothorax, which is blood in the lung," she explained. Despite the severity, surgery was not required. "Thank God it was only one bullet," she added.
The Relationship and Unexpected Attack
Reflecting on her relationship with the attacker, Yudaisy revealed they had been together for ten years and had been separated for a year. "What happened truly never crossed my mind because we were a couple for ten years," she reiterated. She emphasized that "he was not aggressive. We never argued," making the attack that nearly claimed her life even more bewildering.
A Terrifying Encounter
That afternoon, Yudaisy was returning from work and heading to her parents' apartment—also in the same building—when she was attacked by "Javier." "As I was about to open the elevator, he shot me," she recounted. Witnesses stated that the assailant suddenly emerged from the elevator and opened fire.
A neighbor who witnessed the incident described it: "Something exploded in the second elevator of the building, the lady came out screaming, and the man followed, it seems he came out of the elevator and shot her, then she ran up the stairs shouting for help, gunshots and breaking glass followed... but I saw when he shot the lady, and she ran out screaming."
Despite her injury, Yudaisy managed to escape. "I pressed where the bullet entered and ran up to the third floor. I lay face down on the bed and pressed hard," she recalled. A neighbor found and aided her: "I brought her in and quickly shut the door, she told me: 'he killed me, call 911.'"
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue paramedics rushed her to the Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital.
A Pursuit Through the Building
After shooting her, Javier did not flee. A pursuit unfolded within the building, endangering others. The attacker shattered the glass at Yudaisy's apartment in an attempt to break in, unaware she was on another floor. He then moved to her parents' apartment, breaking a window and entering armed.
"He shattered the glass, entered the apartment, and pointed a gun at the mother-in-law," the family recounted. Maria Elena, the victim's mother, remembered confronting the attacker: "I struggled with him and managed to lock myself in my room." She added, "He didn't shoot because the bullet didn't come out." Yudaisy remarked, "He seemed not to know how to handle the gun, thank God."
The chaos spread throughout the building. A neighbor told WSVN: "I saw when he shot the woman and she ran out screaming." Another resident stated, "There was a lot of running. He even entered my house."
By the end of the day, several apartments bore bullet holes in windows and furniture, silent witnesses to the violence unleashed.
The Final Standoff: Suspect Found Dead
Neighbors assisted officers in locating the apartment where the suspect had hidden. Upon reaching the fourth floor, police discovered the armed suspect. "When they encountered an individual armed with a firearm, a shootout ensued between the subject and three of our deputies," explained Eric Garcia, assistant sheriff, in statements to WSVN.
Following the gunfire, officers took tactical positions and called for reinforcements. The Special Response Team (SRT) entered shortly after and found the attacker dead inside the apartment. It remains unconfirmed whether he died by self-inflicted gunshot or crossfire. The case has been handed over to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), as per protocol when officers discharge their weapons on duty.
The operation prompted a wide police presence, including the closure of traffic on NW 72 Avenue and Flagler Street, affecting local circulation. Community account Only in Dade shared images of the operation and the moment when several patrols surrounded the building on social media.
From the hospital, Yudaisy is trying to process what happened. "I feel relieved knowing the attacker will no longer be a threat to me or my family," she concluded.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Miami Shooting Incident
Who was the victim of the Miami shooting?
The victim was Yudaisy Salgueiro, a 47-year-old Cuban healthcare professional residing in Miami.
What happened during the attack in the apartment complex?
Yudaisy was shot by her ex-partner Javier as she was returning from work. The attack led to a pursuit through the building, endangering other residents.
How did the police respond to the situation?
Police responded to multiple 911 calls and engaged in a shootout with the suspect, who was later found dead by the Special Response Team.