A 20-year-old Cuban man has been taken into custody following allegations that he attacked the homeowner where he was residing in Miami with an axe, according to police reports and local media.
The attacker has been identified by authorities as José Lázaro Trinidad Jr., who allegedly assaulted the homeowner during a dispute over access to a room.
The Miami Police Department reported that the incident took place at a residence on the 800 block of Northwest 24th Court, situated in the Little Havana neighborhood.
Officers responded to a call regarding aggravated assault with a weapon and found the victim with an injury to the back of the head.
“He was waiting for me with an axe and struck me on the head.” The homeowner recounted to the media that he was attempting to enter his locked room without any response from inside.
“I was knocking on the door to get into my room and got no reply, so I broke it down; when I did, he was waiting for me with an axe and struck me on the head,” he told Univision.
According to the police report, after a verbal confrontation, Trinidad armed himself with “a small chrome axe” and hit the homeowner as he turned away.
The injury was deemed minor, and the victim refused medical transport, opting to handle the treatment on his own.
Living in a Shed and Unauthorized Access
The alleged attacker had been living on the property for the past eight months, though not within the main house.
Witnesses and tenants stated that he occupied a small shed in the backyard and was not authorized to enter the main residence, let alone the homeowner’s room.
The unauthorized entry into the room and subsequent attack worsened Trinidad's legal situation. He stayed at the scene and was the one who called 911. Police apprehended him on-site and recovered the weapon used in the assault.
Self-Defense Claim and Legal Proceedings
Trinidad claimed he acted in self-defense, alleging that the homeowner attempted to hit him first. However, the victim identified him as the attacker and recognized the axe as the weapon used.
According to available records, Trinidad faces a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. However, he was not listed as an inmate on the Miami-Dade jail website at the time of the last report.
The authorities have yet to clearly establish what sparked the conflict.
This incident highlights a recurring issue in neighborhoods like Little Havana, where the scarcity of affordable housing options leads to informal agreements between property owners and tenants, often lacking legal backing and proper living conditions.
Living in makeshift spaces, such as unauthorized sheds or annexes, poses risks not only structurally but also personally, as demonstrated by this violent occurrence.
Understanding Housing Challenges in Little Havana
What led to the assault in Miami's Little Havana?
The assault was triggered by a dispute over room access, resulting in José Lázaro Trinidad Jr. allegedly attacking the homeowner with an axe.
What is the current legal situation for José Lázaro Trinidad Jr.?
José Lázaro Trinidad Jr. is facing a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, although he was not listed as an inmate on the Miami-Dade jail website at the time of reporting.
How does this case reflect housing issues in Little Havana?
This case underscores the difficulties of finding affordable housing in Little Havana, leading to informal and often unsafe living arrangements.