The mother of Yudaisy Salgueiro, a 47-year-old Cuban woman who was shot by her ex-partner in her West Miami-Dade apartment building, has opened up about her daughter's condition. Yudaisy remains hospitalized at Jackson Memorial Hospital, having miraculously survived a gunshot wound to the chest. The peace of Tuesday afternoon was shattered at Monte Carlo Apartments, as an attempted femicide escalated into a shooting and a large-scale police operation.
On Wednesday, María Elena Crespo recounted the terrifying moments to Local 10, describing how violence breached their home. Despite Yudaisy being conscious and in recovery, her health remains fragile. "I can't say she's okay," Crespo admitted, explaining that the bullet pierced the upper part of Yudaisy's heart, causing a hemothorax, which is a blood accumulation in the lung. Fortunately, doctors have ruled out the need for immediate surgery. "Thank God it was just one bullet," Yudaisy, originally from Pinar del Río and a healthcare professional, expressed her gratitude for surviving the attack.
Ambush in the Building
The shooting unfolded shortly before 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 26, at the intersection of NW 72nd Avenue and 3rd Street, south of SR 836 highway. The assailant was Javier Albriza Jara, 50, who had been in a relationship with Yudaisy for over a decade but had been separated for a year and a half. According to Yudaisy's mother, Jara was lying in wait in a common area when he opened fire on his ex-partner. The bullet struck Yudaisy in the chest, and as he attempted to shoot again, the gun jammed. "He was waiting for her… but the gun seemed to jam, and he couldn't fire again. At that moment, she fled to the stairs for safety," Crespo recounted.
Witnesses described the harrowing scene. A woman who saw the events told Telemundo 51, "Something exploded in the elevator, the girl came out screaming, and the man followed. Gunshots and breaking glass were heard. I saw when he shot the girl, and she was screaming for help."
Pursuit Within the Complex
Despite her injuries and bleeding, Yudaisy managed to escape to a neighbor's unit, where she called for help. Meanwhile, Jara, in a frenzy, smashed the victim's apartment windows trying to find her. He also barged into Yudaisy's parents' apartment on the third floor. There, María Elena Crespo confronted the attacker: "I struggled with him and managed to lock myself in my room." She stated that her ex-son-in-law didn't shoot her "because the bullet didn't fire."
Police Standoff and Outcome
911 calls prompted a swift response from the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office (MDSO) and the Special Response Team (SRT). Footage from neighbors showed officers entering with shields and long guns. The suspect, armed, barricaded himself in his fourth-floor apartment. "Upon discovering him, a shootout ensued between him and three of our officers," explained Sheriff Eric García's assistant. Minutes later, the SRT entered to find Jara deceased inside, though it remains unclear if he died from crossfire or a self-inflicted wound.
A Life Marked by a Miracle
The attack has left a profound impact on Yudaisy and her family. From her hospital bed, the victim confessed she is still trying to comprehend what happened: "I never imagined this would happen. We were together for 10 years, and he wasn't aggressive. We never argued." She clings to faith and the certainty that, despite the physical and emotional pain, she survived a situation that could have ended in tragedy. "I tell you, this has all been a miracle," she stated. Meanwhile, her mother sums up the shared sentiment of family and neighbors: relief that her daughter survived, yet fear from the violence that shook the entire building.
Building Shaken by Chaos
Following the shooting, several apartments were left with windows and furniture riddled with bullet holes. The area around the complex remained closed for hours, with patrols blocking NW 72 Avenue and Flagler Street, causing significant traffic congestion. Videos circulating on social media by the Only in Dade community account highlighted the scale of the police operation and the anxiety of residents, many of whom are still processing the trauma of what they experienced.
"I Feel at Peace"
Now calmer, Yudaisy acknowledges that her peace of mind comes from knowing her attacker can no longer threaten her. "I feel at peace knowing he won't be a threat to me or my family," she expressed. The case remains under investigation, but for the victim and her mother, the most important thing is that she can tell her story today.
Understanding the Tragedy of Domestic Violence in Miami
What was the condition of Yudaisy Salgueiro after the shooting?
Yudaisy Salgueiro was in a delicate state, conscious but recovering from a bullet wound that pierced her heart and caused a hemothorax. Thankfully, surgery was not immediately required.
Who was responsible for the attack on Yudaisy?
The attack was carried out by Javier Albriza Jara, her ex-partner, who had been separated from her for a year and a half following a decade-long relationship.
How did the police respond to the shooting incident?
The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office and the Special Response Team swiftly responded, leading to a standoff that ended with the suspect being found dead in his apartment.