Miami police arrested an individual who shot a maintenance employee in the building where the large fire occurred this Monday.
The accident occurred in Temple Court residential complex, located at 431 NW 3rd Street, in Miami. The city’s firefighters and police responded immediately and among those affected by the fire they also detected a man injured by a gunshot.
In a significant turn of events, authorities reported the arrest of a suspect in connection with a shooting at the location prior to the fire. The individual is in police custody and is being questioned about the incident.
Mayor Francis Suárez announced the arrest of the suspect, but did not reveal his identity at first, although he did say that it is believed that this subject may have intentionally caused the incident.
Telemundo51 identified the detained man. His name is Juan Francisco Figueroa, and he is 73 years old. They say he was arrested early Tuesday morning and transferred to the TGK prison in Miami-Dade.
Initial reports indicate that Figueroa shot an employee at the Temple Court Apartments and then intentionally set the fire.
The detainee has a criminal record; he was sentenced in 1992 for second-degree murder. He now faces charges of attempted murder with a firearm, felony and arson.
On June 10, 2024, at 8:15 in the morning, the neighborhood around the Temple Court residential complex woke up to the sound of alarms and a column of smoke.
The emergency quickly mobilized dozens of fire crews who faced a fierce battle against the fire in a predominantly wooden building. The Flames reached multiple residential unitswhich required considerable effort.
After eight hours of intense work, the fire was brought under control and fire units began to be released from the site. All people who were in the building were accounted for. No fatalities were reported, but several people had to be taken to the hospital, including three rescuers.
The Miami Fire Department evacuated more than 40 people. The residents spent the night in a safe place, then will spend two weeks in a hotel with support from the city government. Mayor Francis Suárez assured that his administration will find a housing solution for those affected.
The Fire Department and the Miami Police continue to work together to clarify the causes of the fire and the shooting. Authorities are expected to provide more details in the coming hours.
